LIBRARY 

op  THE 

Theologieal-s4  m'i  nary, 


g,  iN.j.  ^ 

/ 'BaoKS 

V ■0•^V^5^0l  Sc^ 

. 

Book,  Ivi,-, 

*•*■•-*  r •*•*•»  . .>•«•••«  --••• 


A N 


account 

O F T H E 

PELEW  ISLANDS, 

SITUATED  IN  THE 

Weftern  Part  of  the  Pacific  Ocean. 


COMPOSED  FROM 

I'HE  JOURNALS  AND  COMMUNICATIONS 

O F 

CAPTAIN  HENRY  WILSON, 

ANDi  SOME  OF  HIS  OFFICERS, 

I WHO,  IN  AUGUST  1 783,  WERE  THERE  SHIPWRECKED^ 

IN 

I THE  ANTELOPE, 

A Packet  belonging  to  the  Hon.  Ead  India  Co'.npan;-. 

m IW^I  II  !■  

Bt  GEORGE  KEATE,  Es<;.  F.  R..  S.  and  S.  A.  ' 

*'  — — C— — 


PHILADELPHIA: 


PRINTED  BY  JOSEPH  CRUKS HANK,  IN  MARKET-STREET, 
BETWEEN  SECOND  AND  THIRD-STREETS. 


M DCC  LESAIZ, 


% 


V 


T O 


the  chair  m a n, 

I>  E P U T Y C II  A I R ]\I  A N, 

AND 

director  s, 

0 F 

THE  HONORABLE 

EAST  INDIA  COMPANY, 

\ 

THIS  ACCOUNT  OF 

T li  E P E L E W ISLANDS, 


I S, 


BY  THEIR  PERMISSION 
AND  AT»  THE  PARTICULAR  DESIRE  OF 

C A P T A I N V/  I L S O N, 

RESPECTFULLY  INSCRIBED, 

BY  THEIR  MOST  OBEDIENT, 
HUMBLE  SERVANT, 


GEORGE  KEATE. 


I ONDON, 

fjn:; 


INTRODUCTION 


Nothing  hath  more  diftinguifhed  the  reign  of 
his  prefent  Majelly,  than  the  liberality  with  which 
he  hath  encouraged  the  ardor  of  nautical  difcoverj’’. — 
Although  the  voyages  of  other  European  nations  have 
greatly  increafed  our  knowledge  of  the  globe,  yet  as 
thefe  were  generally  undertaken  (fome  late  voyages  of 
the  French  excepted)  from  views  either  of  ambition  or 
avarice,  the  improvement  of  fcience,  and  of  geography, 
was  bat  a fecondary  confideration  ; — it  is  not,  therefore, 
to  be  wondered  that  the  fubje£l  ftill  remained  imperfeft, 
overclouded  by  doubt  and  uncertainty. — To  diflipate 
thefe  clouds,  to  remove  exifting  errors,  and  to  render 
what  was  dubious,  demonftrably  clear,  became  highly  in- 
terelling  toalmoft  every  nation  ; and  Europe,  with  eyes 
of  admiration,  beheld  this  important  objetl  not  only  un- 
dertaken, but  to  a furpriling  degree  executed,  by  the 
fpirit  and  abilities  of  Great  Britaix. 

The  exploring  untraverfed  oceans,  in  fpite  of  every 
danger  that  could  menace  or  difmay — the  difeovering 
multitudes  of  iflands,  and  of  people,  whofe  exiftence 
was  not  known  before — and  the  fame  of  fixing  the  geogra- 
phy of  the  Southern  World,  were  the  noble  fruits  of  this 
bold  and  hazardous  enterprife ; which  will  remain  to  fuc- 
ceeding  ages  a monument  of  the  zeal  and  patronage  of 
George  the  Third. 

Under  fuch  aufpices,  and  under  fuch  navigators  as 
this  buiinefs  was  confided  to,  with  each  fuperadded  af- 
fiilance  in  the  various  fciences,  what  was  there  not  to 
he  hoped? — And  it  certainly,  in  no  fmall  degree,  ad- 
ded to  the  fpirit  of  the  undertaking,  that  fuch  an  i:n- 
examplcd  charafter  as  Mr.  (now  Sir  Joseph)  Basks 
voluntarily  accompanied  Captain  Ccox, — ^.‘Islong  as  the 
2-  hiilory 


INTRODUCTION. 

liiilory  of  that  time  fhall  cxift,  it  will  (lamp  the  liighefl 
honor  on  his  name,  to  have,  in  the  prime  of  youth,  fa- 
c-.iliced  the  blandiflrments  of  a noble  fortune,  to  his  ar- 
dor for  information  and  fcience,  without  Ihrinliing  at 
ihc  perils  he  might  encounter  from  untried  feaa,  and 
coalU  that  liad  never  been  explored. — And  it  equally  re- 
lieves the  highc.!  credit  on  his  difeerning  country  ; who, 

I mulous  to  acknowledge  the  debt  Ihe  owed  his  merit, 
Irized  the  carlidl  opportunity,  after  Ins  return,  to  make 
him  Presieent  of  the  Royal  Society  ^ a fituation 
ilie  moft  h.onorable  and  dillinguilhed  Ihe  could  offer  a 
ptrfcn  of  his  genius  and  purfuits;  where  Hill,  with 
I .he  fame  aidor,  he  promotes  her  Fame,  tlie  zealous 
i;:id  liberal  Patron  of  learning  and  of  fcience. 

The  rcLitions  of  thel'e  feveral  voyages  having  excited 
it  ;;r:at  fpirit  of  inquiry,  and  awakened  an  eager  curiofity 
to  evc;7  thing  that  can  elucidate  the  hiftory  of  man- 
1 flatter  nivfelf,  that  no  apology  is  necefiary  for 
ir  y bringing  forward  the  following  Work,  whofe  Novelty. 
.'lull  jhdjintuUy  will,  I tvuil,  infure  it  a favorable  recep- 

t;i  t). 

'i  he  iflrmds  which  I am  about  to  deferibe,  were  not 
• ii'eovered  in  coiifcqucnce  of  any  premeditated  defign  ; 
ihe  Inei'.  packet,  which  Captain  Wilsoh  commanded, 
ii  iag  in  a temped  wrecked  on  their  coad ; and  it  is 
fcl.  Iv  to  the  benevolent  character  of  their  inhabitants, 
v.e  owe  the  fafe  return  of  our  countrymen,  that  com- 
' ji'cd  ihe  crew  of  the  ANTEuopE't — by  the  means  of 
'«■.  hem  I am  enabled  to  lay  before  the  Public  an  account 
of  i'nis  Angular  people. 

iioihing  can  be  more  intcreftiug  to  Man  than  tlie 
hihoiy  of  Mon.  Ihe  navigators  of  the  different  ages 
h ■ ■ pidtured  to  us  our  own  fpecies  in  a variety  of  ligiits. 
— 'J’hc  niannei'S  of  civilized  nations  bear  a llrong  refem- 
ida-ice  to  each  other ; it  is  the  vices  or  virtues  of  indi- 
vidnr.lq  that  create  any  general  dillinVtion whereas 
ill  cx^untries,  which  fcience,  or  the  gentler  arts,  have 
jieviT  reached,  we  obferve  a wonderful  difparity  ; fame 
ar-c  found  under  that  darknefs  and  abfolutc  bavbarifm, 
uam  ti:c  fight  of  which  humanity  gladly  turns  afide  ; 

— whillb 


I N-  T R O D U C T I O N.  vm 

— wliilit  others,  unaided,  unafliiled,  but  by  mere  natural 
good  fenfe,  have  not  only  emerged  from  this  gloomy 
lliadc,  but  nearly  attained  that  order,  propriety,  and 
good  condudl,  which  conftitute  the  effence  of  real  civili- 
zation  It  is-by  very  flow  degrees,  and  through  long 

periods  of  intervening  ages,  that  nations,  now  the  moll 
poliflied,  have  arrived  at  their  prefent  ftate. — The  mind 
of  inquilitive  man,  too  eager  after  knowledge  which  his 
limited  faculties  can  never  reach,  often  idly  afks — Where^ 
fore  all  thefe  'varied gradations  in  human  exijlence?  But  his 
quellion  will  remain  for  ever  unanfwered,  and  he  mull 
content  himfelf  with  being  fatisned  that  the  ways  of 
Providence  are  conduced  with  unerring  wifdom,  to 
anfwer  purpofes  beyond  mortal  comprehenfion. — He 
will  be  far  more  wifely  employed  in  feeling  with  becom- 
ing  gratitude,  that  he  was  not  deftined  himfelf  to  be  an 
inhabitant  of  Terra  del  Fuego,  or  to  add  one  to  the 
number  of  the  forlorn  favages  of  the  Northern  Pole. 

There  is  one  queftion,  indeed,  aad  a very  important 
one,  which  poflibly  may,  at  fame  future  period,  be  fuc- 
cefsfully  inveftigated  ; — how  all  the  numerous  iflands, 
lately  difeovered,  as  well  as  the  multitude  of  others,  that 
are  Icattered  through  various  parts  of  the  vaft  ocean, 
were  originally  peopled; — This  fubjeft,  which  opens  a 
wide  field  for  conjecture  to  range  over,  hath  already  ex- 
ercifed  the  abilities  of  the  ingenious — and,  if  ever  fatis- 
faclorily  afeertained,  cannot  fail  to  throw  many  intereft- 
ing  lights  on  the  hiftory  of  mankind. 

The  prefent  account  of  the  Pelew  Iflands,  I have  al- 
ready obferved,  was  offered  to  the  Public  under  the  dou- 
ble claim  of  Novelty  and  Authenticity.  It  is  therefore  in- 
cumbent on  me  to  mention  on  what  ground  thefe  claims 
are  fuppovted. 

The  iflands  in  quellion  were  probably  firft  noticed  by 
forae  of  the  Spaniards  of  the  Philippines,,  and  by  them 
named  tlie  Palos  Islands;  the  tall,  palm-trees,  which 
grow  there  in  great  abundance,  having  at  a dlllance  the 
appearance  of  malls  of  fiiips.''* — That  this  was  the  origin 

of 

^ P.’los,  in  the  Spsnfi  hnjnirge,  nautically  applied,  denoting 
a mail. 


vili  INTRODUCTION.' 

of  their  name  is  rendered  flill  more  probable,  as  the' 
Spaniards  gave  the  fame  appellation  to  all  the  numerous 
iflands  of  this  Archipelago,  the  far  greater  part  of  which 
are  now  known  by  the  name  of  the  New  Carolines. 

In  the  Lettres  Edifiantes  et  Curieufes,  written  bv  the 
yefuit  Myfionaries,  may  be  found  feveral  letters,  which, 
from  their  titles,  fcem  to  have  a reference  to,  and  which 
might  be  thought  to  relate  to  the  duller  of  iflands  which 
are  the  fubje6t  of  the  prefent  Work  ; but  whoever  pe- 
rufesthem  with  attention,  will  inftantly. fee  that  they  re- 
late folely  to  the  New  Carolines,  which  were  difeo- 
vered  about  the  year  1 696,  as  may  be  fecn  by  the  letter 
ef  Father  Paul  Clain,  dated  from  Manilla,  loth  of 
fune  1697.* — But  even  the  accounts  given  by  of 
the  New  Carolines,  were  not  in  confequence  of  any 
Spaniards  having  been  there,  but  merely  fuch  as  he  had 
received  from  fome  of  their  inhabitants,  who,  ventur- 
ing too  far  to  fea,  had  been  driven  by  a ftorm  to  one 
of  the  Philippines.  In  confequence  of  this  knowledge 
of  the  Nev/^  Carolines,  a Ihip,  called  the  Holy  Tri- 
N'lTY,  was,  in  i7io,f  fitted  out  at  Manilla,  by  order  of 
Philip  V.  to  carry  two  Miflionaries,  les  Pdes  Dube- 
RON  andCoRTiL,  thither;  who  arriving  off  Sonsorol, 
one  of  the  Carolines,  the  two  Miflionaries  would  go 
on  Ihore  in  the  chaloupe,  to  fix  the  Crofs,  againll  the 
opinion  of  Don  Padilla,  the  Captain,  who,  as  he  could 
find  no  anchorage,  difluaded  them  ilrongiy  from  the 
attempt. — As  the  veflel  then,  after  cruizing  about  for 
feveral  days,  to  wait  their  return,  could  not,  on  account 
of  the  -winds  and  currents,  remain  any  longeron  the  fta- 
tlon,  the  reverend  Fathers  were  never  heard  of  more. 
Another  veflel  was  fent  from  the  fame  place,  fome  time 
after,  to  further  the  miflion,  which  it  was  fiippofed  the 
two  former  Jefuits  had  begun  ; but  it  foundered  at  fea, 
and  all  on  board  perifhed,J  except  one  Indian,  who  at 
iaft  got  back  to  Manilla  with  the  melancholy  news. 


* Zcttrei  EdiJijntes  et  Curieufes,  vol.  i.  psge  III. 

Do.  vol.  xi.  page  75. 

} Do.  vol.  xvi.  page  368. 


INTRODUCTION.  ix 

In  1721,  another  boat,  belonging  to  one  of  the  Ca- 
rolines, with  twenty-four  people  in  it,  was  driven  by 
force  of  winds  to  Guahan,  one  of  the  Mariannes,* 
as  appears  by  the  letter  of  Pere  Jean  Antoine  Can- 
TOVA,  dated  Aganda,  in  March  1722. — Thefe  (Iran- 
gers  being  detained  a confiderable  time,  Le  Pere  Can- 
TovA  tells  us  that  be  endeavoured  to  acquire  fome  know- 
ledge of  their  language,  that  he  might  the  better  inform 
himfelf  of  their  country. 

In  this  letter,  which  contains  fuller  information  than 
any  of  the  others,  ■ he  tells  us,  he  underflood  from  the 
natives  that  this  Archipelago  was  divided  into  Jime  pro- 
vinces; and  that  the  Pelew  Islands  conftituted  the 
fifth  province,  or  divifion  ; but  thefe  ftrangers,  who  gave 
him  this  intelllgenGe,  faid,  they  had  no  communication 
with  the  people  of  this  province,  adding,  that  they  ivere 
inhuman  and  favage;  that  both  men  and  women  were  entire- 
ly naked,  and  fed  upon  human  fifh;  thnt  the  inhabitants  cf 
the  Carolines  looked  on  them  with  horror,  as  the  enemies  cf 
mankind,  and  with  whom  they  held  it  dangerous  to  have  any 
inlercourje. 

This  is  the  only  mention  I find  of  the  Pelew  peo- 
ple, and  a dreadful  picture  it  is  of  barbarous  life ; but 
the  natives  of  the  Carolines  evidently  knew  nothing 
of  them,  but  that  they  exifted  at  a confiderable  dillance 
from  themfelves  ; and  probably  the  notion  which  they 
entertained,  of  their  being  cannibals,  prevented  their 
ever  having  any  communication  with  them.f 

Tlo  four  fifths  of  thefe  Iflands,  which  accident  had  now 
brought  the  Sj>amards  acquainted  with,  they  foon  gave 
the  name  of  the  New  Carolines  ; but  as  the  Miffion- 
aries  had  unquellionably  been  well  informed  of  the  po- 
verty 

* Lettret  Edif  antes  cf  Curieufes,  vol.  xviii  page  l88; 

"I  Ee  Peri  Cavtova  fays,  that  this  account  is  conformable, ta 
tlic  relation  of  Father  Bernard  Messia  (probably  another  Mif- 
fionary ;)  but  where  tliis  relation  is  to  be  found,  I know  not,  hav- 
fearched  for  it.  I tlierefore  fuppofe  it  has  not  been 
pubijined,  though  poluLIyntay  bepreferv’cd  amoug  tlie  nianufcript 
lecords  cf  the  PiiopACANOA  at  Rome. — Wherever  it  be,  it  could 
ciiiy  be  collected  from  .uth  VL.gue  evidence  as  Cantova’s;  who 
was  himfelf,  a lb;rt  t.i-.n  -ftcr,  liil.  J by  the  pewle  of  the  Caro- 

LIN... 


X 


INTRODUCTION. 

verty  and  nakednefs  of  them,  apprehended  that  they 
were  never  likely  to  become  an  objeft  worthy  of  the 
attention  of  the  Sparujh  monarch,  they  were  therefore, 
nearly  from  this  period,  negledled;  and  even  totbiiday 
little  more  is  known  of  them,  than  that  they  occupy  a 
certain  fpace  on  the  fiuface  of  the  globe. — But  the  fifth 
divifion  of  them,  far  diftant  from  the  reft,  and  inhabit- 
ed by  people  who  were  branded  with  the  imputation  of 
being  inhuman,  favagc,  and  enemies  of  mankind,  were,  in 
confequence,  never  fince  inquired  after  ; and,  though 
laid  down  in  fome  late  charts,  under  their  original  Spa~ 
nifls  appellation  of  the  Palos  idands,  have  continued 
till  now  in  total  obfcurity. — They  have,  it  is  true,  been 
feen,  at  different  times,  by  (hips  making  the  Eafiern  paf- 
fage  to  and  from  China  againft  the  monfoons;  yet  no 
one  appears  to  have  ever  landed  there,  or  to  have  had 
any  intercourfe  with  the  inhabitants ; nor  have  they  lain 
in  the  track  of  any  of  the  circumnavigators  ; Captain 
Carteret,  in  his  courfe,  approached  them  the  neareft. 

from  the  above  obfervations,  and  the  great  aftonilh- 
tnent  which  the  natives  of  Pelew  difcovered  on  feeing 
‘white  people,  it  feems  beyond  a doubt  that  the  crew  of 
the  Antelope  were  the  lirft  Europeans  who  had  ever 
landed  on  thefe  iflands  ; and  it  feems  equally  certain,  that 
t’leir  neareft  neighbours  In  the  adjoining  Archipelagoknew 
nothing  of  them. — I therefore  feel  forae  fatisfaftion  In 
being^the  inftrument  of  introducing  to  the  world  a new 
people; — and  a far  greater  one, , in  having  the  means  in 
my  power,  of  vindicating  their  injured  charafters  from 
the  imputation  of  thofe  favage  manners  which  ignorance 
alone  had  aferibed  to  them  ; for  I am  confident  that  eve- 
ry Reader,  when  he  has  gone  through  the  prefent  ac- 
count of  them  with  attention,  will  be  convinced  that 
thefe  unknown  natives  of  Pelew,  fo  far  from  difgracing, 
live  an  ornament  to  human  nature. 

The  p?rt  I have  taken  in  this  Work  originated  from 
my  knowledge  of  Captain  Wilson’s  veracity,  and  from 
my  being  highly  interefted  with  the  account  he  gave  of 
the  inhabitants  of  thefe  Iflands,  which  was  fo  happily  il- 
luftrated  by  the  good  fenfe  and  amiable  manners  of  the 
young  Prince  Lee  Boo,  w'hom,  at  the  King  his  father’s 
n-quelt,  he  had  brought  with  him  to  England.  i 


INTRODUCTION.  xi 

I frequently  mentioned  to  my  valuable  friend,  Mr. 
Brooke  Watson  (through  whom  I had  firft  been  ac- 
quainted with  Captain  Wilson)  that  I thought  the 
whole  chain  of  events,  following  the  lofs  of  the  Ante- 
lope, well  merited  the  public  eye,  wilhing  him  to  fub- 
mit  the  matter  to  his  friend’s  confideration  ; — but,  after 
three  quarters  of  a year,  I perceived  that  the  Captain’s 
own  affairs,  his  natural  diffidence,  and- probably  his  in- 
experience in  preparing  properly  fuch  a work,  rendered 
him  little  difpofed  to  the  undertaking — and,  as  he  was 
then  preparing  to  go  out  again  to  India,  the  account 
was  in  danger  of  being  totally  loft. 

Struck  as  I was  with  the  relation  of  the  virtues  and 
charadler  of  the  natives  of  thefe  iflands — fenfible  how 
foon  oral  teftimony  is  beyond  recovei-y,  and  the  records 
of  memory  effaced  by  the  events  or  cafualties  of  life — 
I felt  anxious  to  refeue  thefe  difeoveries  from  Aiding  in- 
to oblivion,  and  to  preferve  them  to  the  curiofity  and  in- 
formation of  the  Public ; I therefore  engaged  a volun- 
teer in  the  bufinefs,  propofing  to  Mr.  Watson,  that, 
if  his  friend  Captain  Wilson  w'ould  give  me  his  jour- 
nals and  papers,  and  procure  me  all  the  living  teftimonies 
then  in  England,  I w'ould  myfelf  undertake  the  work; 
— on  this  condition,  that  the  labor  (hould  be  mine,  the 
advantage  Captain  Wilson’s. 

After  I had,  with  great  attention,  gone  over  aH  the 
journals  and  papers,  and  tranferibed  them,  the  better  to 
iix  them  in  my  memory,  and  to  direft  my  future  inqui- 
ries, I had  the  benefit  of  a reference,  both  to  Captain 
Wilson  and  his  fon,  during  their  ftay  in  England, 
for  what  further  or  fuller  information  I required ; and, 
after  the  Captain’s  departure,  I had  alio,  in  the  begin- 
ning of  1786,  whim  the  fafts  were  recent,  the  affift- 
ance  and  information  of  fuch  of  his  officers  as  remained 
in  this  country ; who,  for  many  weeks,  were  fo  good 
as  to  devote  themfelves,  as  it  individually  fuited  them, 
to  this  bufinefs.  The  tranfadfions  of  every  day,  as  re- 
corded in  the  journals,  were  minutely  gone  through  ; and 
it  w'as  a great  pleafure  to  me,  in  taking  their  feparate 
relations,  to  find  no  material  difference  in  their  accounts 

of 


5t:i  INTRODUCTION, 

of  fa£ts  or  occurrences,  but  on  the  contrary,  the  mofi; 
perfeft  agreement.  Thus,  eiilarged  by  the  additions  of 
the  Gentlemen  (who  were  themfelves  in  fome  fcenes  the 
foie  adors)  the  Work,  for  a year  and  a half,  lay  dor- 
omiit,  waiting  Captain  Wilson’s  return  from  Besgal, 
who  arrived  the  latter  end  of  laft  fummer : lince  that 
time  every  pait  of  it  hath  been  revifed,  and  gone  over, 
with  the  moft  /crapulous  exaftnefs  and  attention  ; and 
I am  myfelf  firmly  perfuaded,  no  work  of  this  nature 
was  ever  prefented  to  the  Public,  in  every  refpcft  better 
authenticated. 

I Ihould  not  have  thought  it  necelTary  to  have  menti- 
oned the  manner  in  which  I have  conduced  this  publi- 
cation, had  I not  been  aware  of  there  being  fcenes  and 
fituations  in  it  which  might  ftartle  many  of  my  readers; 
but,  as  the  truth  of  them  can  be  fully  eftablilhed,  they 
will  ferve  to  prove  that  good  fenfe,  and  moral  refti- 
tude,  may  exift  in  many  uncivilized  regions,  where  the 
prejudices  and  arrogance  of  polilhed  life  are  not  always 
difpofed  to  admit  them. 

Thofe  who  are  acquainted  with  the  voyages  to  the 
South  Seas,  muft  have  remarked  a great  fimilitude 
in  the  manners  of  the  iflands  fcattered  over  that  im- 
menfe  ocean ; at  the  fame  time  it  cannot  have  efcaped 
their  notice,  that  there  are  cuftoms  and  charafters  pe- 
culiar to  almoft  every  particular  group. — The  fame  ob- 
fervation  is  applicable  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  Pelew 
Islands;  who,  though  in  many  refpefts  refembling 
their  Southern  neighbours,  muft'be  allowed  to  have  many 
charafteriftical  features  of  their  own — ^which  an  intelli- 
gent reader  will  eafily  difcover. 

To  the  late  difcoveries,  which  have  fo  greatly  In- 
creafed  our  knowledge  of  the  globe,  and  of  the  human 
race,  if  the  little  duller  of  iflands  I am  now  unveiling  to 
the  world  (which  may  truly  be  legardcd  as  a rich  jewel, 
fparkling  on  thebofom  of  the  ocean)  ftiall  be  deemed  by 
the  Public  an  interelling  acquifition.  Captain  Wilson 
will  not  have  been  fliipwrecked  in  vain  ; and  I fliall  ever 
think  that  the  time  I have  bellowed  on  this  Work  hath 
been  ufefuUy  employed. 


CONTENTS. 


T S. 


c O.  N T E N 


ncCCZ&EaiKXi 


CHAPTER  I. 


j'\EP  AR  TURE  of  the  Antelope  from  Macoa. — Lif 
of  the  Ship's  Company. — Route  and  Tranfacllens  prior 
to  the  Lofs  of  the  V ffel.  ■ - • P^ge  I 


CHAPTER  II. 

Lofs  of  the  Antelope,  and  the  immediate  Dijlrejfes  ari/tng 
from  the  Accident.  - - - - 7 


CHAPTER  III. 

Firjl  Appearance  of  the  Natives. — The  curious  and  friendly 
Intervic’w  between  them  and  the  Englilh. — Captain  ,Wil- 
fon’s  Brother  fent  to  the  King  of  Pelew,  the  King's  Bro- 
ther remaining  with  our  People.  • - i J 

CHAPTER  IV. 


The  Pinnace  goes  to  the  Ship,  and  fads  it  had  been  vifted  by 
fame  of  the  Natives. — The  Behaviour  of  Raa  Kook,  the 

King's 


XIV 


CONTENTS. 

King's  Brotlser,  on  being  informed  of  it. — The  friendly 
CondnEl  of  this  Chief  ’■juhilJ}  he  remained  alone  with  the 
Eiiglifh. — A Council  held,  and  all  the  Cajls  of  Liquor 
remaining  in  the  Antelope  ordered  to  be Jtaved,  Page  22 


CHAPTER  V. 

Arra  Kooker,  the  King's  Brother,  returns  from  Pelew,  and 
is  foon  after  followed  by  Mr.  Matthias  Wilfon,  who 
gives  a very  favorable  Account  of  the  Manner  in  which  he 
had  been  received, — Regulations  made  by  the  Englifh  for 
fabiyhing  a Nightly  Guard. — The  General  and  Arra 
Kooker  informed  of  it. — They  approve  the  Scheme, 
which  is  immediately  put  in  Execution. — Some  Charader 
of  A.n-a  Kooker.  - - - 28 


CHAPTER  VI. 

The  King  of  Pelew  pays  his  frfl  Vft  to  the  Englifh. — His 
Arrival  deferibeJ,  and  the  Ceremony  with  which  he  is  re- 
ceived; after  which  he  is  conduced  by  his  two  Brothers 
md  Captain  AVilfon  round  the  Spot  whereon  they  had 
ireSed  their  ttmporary  Habitation,  and fhewn  whatever^ 
might  engage  his  Curiqftty. — After  fveral  Hours  Stay  he 
dparts,  plcafed  with  his  Reception,  and  takes  his  Riiinue 
with  him  to  the  back  Part  of  the  JJland.  - ' 36 


• CHAPTER  VII. 

A Coolnefs  ctrifes  on  the  Part  of  the  Natives,  which  much 
alarms  the  Englifh.— T/w  cleared  up,  acid  Friendjhip  re- 
fl^red. — The  King  requfs  fve  of  Captain  Wilfon’s  Men 
' tp  attend  him  to  a IVar  he  was  going  to  male  cga'.njl  a 
neighbouring  If  md.— This  is  ajfenhd  to,  and  he  departs 


CONTENTS.  ::v 
■with  the  Men.— The  Englilh  plan  their  intended  VefeU 
form  a D^ck-Tard,  unanimoujiy  choofe  Captain  Wilion 
to  be  their  Commander,  and  each  engages  in  the  Department 
he  is  nominated  to,  in  order  to  ajfjl  the  Confrvriinn  of 
their  future  Vejfel. — The  ftjl  Sunday  after  the  Shipwreck 
duly  commemorated.  - - " 4 ^ 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Our-  People  continue  almofl  every  Day  to  fend  to  the  Wreck, 
and  recover  a great  W ariety  oj  Stores. — They  form  u Bar- 
ricade round  the  Tents, — complete  it, — and  continue  their 
Work  with  the  utmojl  gljf.duity  in  the  Dock-Yard,  and  in 
advancing  the  Vejfel . - - - 54 


CHAPTER  IX. 

The  five  Men,  with  the  Interpreter,  who  went  with  the 
King  on  his  Expedition,  return  fife,  accompanied  by  R.r.1 
Kook. — The  Account  of  the  Succefs  of  that  Expedition. 
— Raa  Koo.k  in  the  King's  Name,  gives  the  IJland  cj 

Oroolong  to  the  Englifn Captain  Wilfon  invited  by 

the  King  to  Pelew;  excufes  hhrfelf  for  the  prefent,  hit  fends 
Mr.  Benger,  and  Mr.  M.  Wilfon,  his  Brother,  with 
the  Lingutfl,  to  compliment  Abba  Thulle  on  his  late  Vic- 
tory.— Captain  Wilfon  in  his  Boat  round  the  IJland. 
— The  V jfel  continues  to  get  advanced. — Meffrs.  Bengu" 
aW  Wilfon  Pelew.  - - 57 


CHAPTER  X. 

A Pajfage  is  difeevered  through  the  Coral  Reef,  fujjicicnt,  to 
carry  out  ths  V efftl  when  completed. — Captain  Wilfon, 
Mr.  Sharp,  Mr.  Devis,  and  Mr.  Henry  Wilfon,  go 
to  Pelew  to  vif.t  the  Kin^. — An  Account  of  the  Hofpitality 

wi.h 


XVI 


CONTENTS. 

'Uiith  which  thsy  were  received. — Some  Defcription  of  the 
. Manners  of  the.  Aatives,  and  their  Mode  of  lAvin^.-^ 
Mr.  Sharp  is  requcjlcd  to  go  into  the  Country  to  fee  a 
fick  Child  of  one  of  the  Rupacks,  which  he  does,  and  re- 
turns to  Peiew.  ...  Page  55 


CHAPTER  XL 

Further  Account  of  the  Natives  of  Peiew J Council  of 

Stale  is  held,  at  the  Breaking  up  of  which  the  King  requejls 
of  Captain  Wllfon  ten  Men  to  go  with  him  on  a fecond 
Expedition  againf  the  fame  Enemy — which  is  agreed  to. — 
Defcription  of  the  Dance  of  the  Warriors. — Our  People 
return  to  Oroolong,  fnd  their  Countrymen  well,  and  in 
great  Unanimity  advancing  the  Vejfel, — The  ten  Men  fe- 
leded  who  were  to  attend  the  King  to  Battle.  - 77 


CHAPTER  XII. 

The  King  comes  to  Oroolong. — Is  much  fruch  with  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  Vejfel,  which  he -had  not  feen  before.— Is 
Jhcwn  the  Barricade  and  the'  Six-pounder ; which  is  after- 
wards, at  his  Dcftre,  fired  off.— Views  the  deferent  Ar- 
tificers employed  in  the  Dock-Tard.—The  imprjfion  all 
thefe  new  Sights  make  on  him.— After  pcjfng  feveral 
Hours  with  our  People,  he  goes  to  the  Back  of  the  IJland. — 
The  King  returns  next  Day — wijhes  to  take  a Swivel  Gun 
on  the  Expedition.— This  objcQed  to.— He  departs  for  Pe- 
iew, carrying  with  him  the  ten  Men  allotedfor  the  War.  82 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

TranfaBions  at  Oroolong. — The  ten  Men  return  from  the 
War. — A particular  Account  of  the  fecond  Battle  of  Ax - 
iingall. — Progrefs  of  the  new  V effcl,  idc.  - 89 

C H P T E R 


CONTENTS.  xvli 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Frogreft  of  the  Fejfel,  and  other  Occurrences. — Raa  Kook 
comes  from  Pelevv  to  folicit  more  Men,  and  a Swivel  Gun, 
to  attend  the  King  on  a grand  Expedition.— lifter  fame  Ex- 
planation between  Captain  Wilfon  and  the  General,  the 
Requefl  is  granted,  and  the  allotted  Men  return  with  Raa 
Kook. — Mr.  Sharp  goes  fome  Days  after  to  Pelew,  to 
fee  the  General’s  Son,  who  had  been  wounded  in  the  fecond 
Battle. — Arrives  jujl  after  his  Countrymen  had  returned 
from  the  grand  Expedition,  in  which  this  young  Man, 
whom  he  went  to  vi/it,  had  been  killed. — Attends  Raa 
Kook  to  his  Son’s  Funeral,  of  which  an  Account  is 
given.  - Page  98 


chapter  XV. 

7he  Men  who  had  been  on  the  third  Expedition  to  Artlngall 
return — an  Account  of  it  given.— Captain  Wilfon  invited 
by  the  King  to  vi/it  the  Rupacks,  who  had  attended  as 
Allies  in  the  la/l  Battle. — Accompanies  the  King  and  his 
Brother  to  fome  Iflands  to  the  Northward,  where  there 
was  much  Fejlivity  on  the  Occafon. — Is  riceived  with 
great  Hofpitality,  and  after  fve  Days  Abfence  returns  to 
Oroolong.  - - - - 1 1 2 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Proceedings  at  Oroolong.— 7”,^^  General  remains  with  the 
Englifh. — Intelligence  is  brought  to  him  that  the  People  oj 
Artingall  were  come  to  fue  for  Peace. — I he  King  ar- 
rives the  next  Day,  and  for  the  frjl  Fime  brings  one  of  his 
fPives,  his  favorite  Daughter,  and feveral  of  their  Female 

Attendants He  caritinues  at  the  Back  of  the  ijland  three 

or 


xvlli  CONTENTS. 

or  four  Days,  during  'which  Time  the  General,  <who  'went 
•with  him,  'was  much  indifpofed  — Mr.  Sharp  vi/its  him, 
and  relieves  his  Complaint. — The  King,  'with  Raa  Kook, 

and  his  Retinue,  return  to  Pelew. He  fends  the  Englifli 

fome  Colors  to  paint  their  VeJfeU Mr.  Shai"p  goes  to 

Pelew  to  inquire  after  Raa  Kook’s  Health,  'whom  he finds 
getting ‘well.  ...  Page  123 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

The  King  comes  for  the  ten  Men  'who  'were  to  go  •with  him 
againjl  Pelelew.-  —A  great  Storm  at  Oroolong. Intel- 

ligence arrives  that  the  Expedition  to  Pelelew  had  ended 

peaceably. The  Englifh  return,  and  give  an  Account  of 

the  Manner  of  its  Progrefs  and  Termination. Rejoicings 

on  the  Occafion  at  Pelew. — The  King  notifes  an  intended 
Vifit  to  the  Euglifli  before  their  Departure.  - 134 

l 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Preparclums  made  for  the  Completion  of  the  V tjfel,  and  fe- 
curing  her  being  fafely  launched. Great  Sufpicions  enter- 

tained on  the  King’s  Mejfage,  •winch  Captain  Wilfon  en- 
deavours  to  quiet.— -Steps  taken  by  our  People  to  make  Re- 

JiJlance,  in  Cafe  their  Departure  Jhould  be  impeded. The 

Captain  fends  Mr.  Sliarp  and  Mr.  M.  Wilfon  to  Pelew, 
•with  all  the  Tools  and  Iron  they  could  fpare,  •with  AJfu- 
rances  of  the  ref,  as  foon  as  the  Vejfel  •was  launched; 
and  to  notify  to  the  King  that  he  purpofed  to  fail  in  fix  or 

feven  Days. They  meet  the  King  and  his  Retinue  on  their 

IVay  to  Oroolong. — Go  back  •with  him  to  the  Ifland  of 
Pethoull,  •where  they  pafs  the  Night. — Abba  Thulle  re- 
ceives the  Prefents  gracioufy. — A great  Supper  of  the 
King’s  defcribed. — They  all  come  next  Day  to  Oroolong. 

Madan  Blanchard  informs  Captain  Wilfon  of  a Re- 

folution  he  had  tahen'io  remain  behind  •with  the  Natives; — 

after 


CONTENTS.  XIX 
after  jlrguments  ufed  in  vain  to  dtjfuade  httny  he  is  propofed 
to  the  King  to  be  left  at  Pclcvv,  auho,  pleafed  with  the 
Circumflance,  tales  him  under  his  Proiettion.  Page  143 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

7 he  Fejfel  fuccefsfuUy  launched. — The  great  Satisfaction  ex~ 

preyed  by  the  Natives  on  the  Occafiuii Our  People  give 

the  King  the  Runaind.r  of  the  Pooh. — Captain  Willon 
fni  for  by  the  King  to  the  Watering-place,  who  prepofes  to 
make  him  a Rupack  of  the  f.rjt  Rank.—-Invefls  him  with 
the  highifl  Order  of  the  Bone.— -y/  Deferipiion  of  the  Ce- 
remony. - - - - 15^ 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Phe  good  ConduB  of  the  Natives,  not  to  diflurh  or  impede  the 
Operations  of  our  People. — Phe  King  informs  Captain 
Wilfon  of  his  Intention  to  fend  his  fcccr.d  Son,  Lee  Boo, 
under  his  Carf,  to  England, — Raa  Kook  having  alfo 
foUcited  Abba  Thulle’s  Permiffion  to  accompany  the  Eng- 
lifh,  is  refvfed  by  his  Brother,  on  very  prudential  Mo~ 
tives. — A fingular  Occurrence  refpeiiing  one  of  the  King’s 
Nephews. — Phe  Pime  of  the  Vtffci’s  Departure  noticed— 
and,  preparatory  to  it,  an  Infcripticn,  cut  on  a Plate  of 
Copper,  is  fxed  to  a large  P ree,  to  record  the  Lofs  of  the 
Antdope.  ....  160. 

CHAPTER  XXL 

Lee  Boo  aimives,  and  is  introduced  to  Captain  Wilfon,  who, 
at  the  King’s  Difirc,  remains  all  Night  on  Shore. — Phe 
inter efting  Manner  in  which  he  delivers  his  Son  to  his  Care. 
— Phe  Captain  gives  Blanchard  Advice  how  to  conduit 
himfelf. — In  the  Morning  Signals  for  failing  reared. — A 
Boat  fent  to  bring  the  Captain  on  board. — Phe  King  and 
his  Brothers,  accompany  them  to  the  Ref. — Alultitudes  of 
the  Natives,  in  their  Canoes,  furround  the  Veffel  to  tflify 
their  Regard. — Phe  King  tales  an  ajfcclionctte  Leave  of  the 

Euglilh. 


XX 


CONTENTS. 
Ensflifh. — Charaflsr  of  Abba  TluiUe. — Raa  Kook 
crojfes  the  Reef,  and  goes  a good  PV ay  to  Sea  before  he  quits 
them. — His  Charadler. — The  Englifh  proceed  on  their 
V oyage  to  China.  - - - Page  1 70 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

The  Englifh,  in  the  Oroolong,  quit  the  Pelew  Iflands. — 
Hn  Account  of  their  Pajfage  from  thence  to  Macoa. — 

Their  Arrival  there. They  difpofe  of  their  Vejfel  aud 

proceed  to  Canton,  inhere  they  embark  for  England.  i?o 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

General  Idea  of  the  Iflands. — Of  the  King. — Of  the  Gene- 
ral.— Of  the  Chief  Miniiler. — Of  the  Rupacks. — Of 
the  Nature  of  Property  at  Pelew.  1 94 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Of  the  Produce  of  Pelew,  and  of  the  PVay  of  Life  of  the 
Natives.  - - - - 201 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

Of  their  Hoifes. — Their  domeflic  Implements. — Their  Wea~ 
pons  of  War. — Their  Canoes.  - - 208 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

Of  the  People  and  their  Cufioms. — Of  their  Marriages. — 
Of  their  Funerals. — Of  their  Religion. — General  Charac- 
ter of  the  Natives.  - - - 214 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

Anecdotes  of  Lee  Boo,  fecond  Son  of  Abba  Thulle,  from 
the  Time  of  leaving  Canton  to  his  Death.  - 228 


AN 


A N 


account 


OF  THE 


PELEW  ISLANDS. 


C H A *P  T E R I. 

Departure  of  the  Antelope  from  Macoa. — Ltjl  of  the 
Ship’s  Company. — Route  and  ‘Tranfadions  prior  to  the 
Lofs  of  the  Veffel.  ^ 

TH  E Antehfej  a packet  of  near  300  tons  burthen, 
in  the  fervice  of  the  Honorable  Engl'fh  Eafl  India 
Company,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Henry  hVilfouy 
having  arrived  at  Macoa  in  the  month  of  June  1783, 
the  Captain  received  orders  from  the  Company’s  fu- 
percargoes  to  refit  his  Ihip  with  all  pofiible  fpeed ; 
which  being  completed,  on  Sunday  the  20th  of  July, 
about  eleven  o’clock  in  the  forenoon,  he  received  his 
difpatches,  and  the  fhip  being  ready  for  fea,  he  took 
leave  of  the  Council ; and  about  half  paft  three  o’clock 
went  on  board,  accompanied  by  Meffrs.  Brotun,  Lane, 
Bruce,  and  Peach,  as  alfo  Mr.  Mvrga^  furgeon  ; and 
A . • after 


2 


AN  account  of 
after  the  Captain  had  paid  the  fixteen  Chinefe  men 
(with  which  they  had  been  allowed  to  augment  their 
Ihip’s  company)  the  advance-money  ufual  on  thefe  occa- 
fions,  they  weighed  anchor,  and  their  friends  went  on 
Ihore,  whom  they  faluted  at  going  away,  with  nine  guns. 
The  weather  becoming  unfettled  and  hazy,  at  nine 
o’clock  in  the  evening  they  anchored  in  7 fathom  wa- 
ter. And  as  in  the  courfe  of  this  narrative  we  lliall  find 
the  fhip’s  company  at  times  colletlively  and  feparately  en- 
gaged, it  will  not  be  improper  in  the  outlet  to  mention 
the  names  of  the  Europeans  who  were  in  the  Antelope^ 
with  their  particular  diftindlion  and  fituation  on  board. 


Names. 

Henry  Wilson 
Philip  Benger  * - - 

Peter  Barker  - - - 

John  Cummin  - 
John  Sharp  - 
Arthur  William  Devis 
John  Blanch  - 
William  Harvey  - 
John  Polkjnghorn 
John  Meale 
Richard  Jenkins  - 
James  Swift  - 
Richard  Sharp 
Henry  Wilson,  Jun. 

John  Wedgebrough 

Robert  White 

Albert  Pierson 
Godfrey  Minks  * - 
Thomas  Dulton  - 
John  Cooper  - 
\\'’iLLiAM  Roberts  - 


‘ The  names  thus  marked, 
vvhh  certainty  to  bdfcead. 


Stations. 

Commander. 

Chief  Mate. 

Second  Mate. 

Third  Mate. 

Surgeon. 

Pafl'enger. 

Gunner. 

Boatfwain. 

Carpenter. 

Cooper  and  Steward. 
Carpenter’s  Mate. 
Cook. 

Midfhipman. 

Do.  fon  to  the  Captain, 
r 2 youths  from  ChrifPs 
J Hofpital,  appren- 

J tices,  and  afting  as 

(_  midfhipmen. 

Quarter  Matter, 

mto. 

Captain’s  Steward. 
Seaman. 

Ditto. 

James 

are  the  only  men  at  this  tlmcliHOWn 


3 


the  P E L E 
Names. 

James  Duncan 

Matthias  Wilson 

Nicholas  Tyacke  - 
James  Bluitt  - - 

Thomas  Wilson  * 

William  Stewart 
Madan  Blanchard 
Thomas  Whitfield 
William  Cobblf.dick 
Zachariah  Allen 
Thomas  Castles  - 
Dedrick  Windler 

Thomas  Rose  * 

July  21.  At  five  o’clock  in  the  morniuj  they  cgr.;!i 
weighed  anchor,  and  fet  fail,  having  a viAC  breer.c 
from  the  E.  N.  E.  end  between  fix  and  f-.Tcn  o’clock 
their  pilot  left  them.  About  nine  o’clock,  being  got  to 
foj|*dHlance  from  the  land,  they  met  with  a very  high 
fe^^^hich  obliged  them  to  lay  to,  in  order  to  fecure 
their  cattle,  and  other  live  ftock,  as  alfo  th:ir  anchors, 
cables,  and  harbor-rigging.  About  eleven  o’clock  they 
made  fail  again,  and  by  a very  good  oirfervation,  at 
noon,  were  in  latitude  21'’  28'  north  ; at  the  fame  time 
could  juft  fee  the  land  bearing  north,  at  the  diftance  of 
about  eleven  leagues,  as  near  as  they  could  Judge,  the 
weather  being  rather  hazy.  In  tlie  afternoon  the  la.li- 
ings  of  the  booms  broke,  and  they  fell  to  leeward, 
which  obliged  them  to  keep  tire  ihip  Irefore  the  wind 
until  they  were  replaced  and  fccured,  which  having 
done,  they  refumed  their  courfe.  In  the  evening,  ob- 
ferving  it  to  lighten  very  ftrongly  from  the  fouihward, 
they  clofe  reefed  their  top-fails,  expc(fi;ing  it  to  blow 
from  that  quarter. 

Next  day  the  weather  continued  moderate,  but’  clou- 
dy  ; gjid  they  hud  a great  fea  from  the  caftward,  which 

made 


W I S L A N 
Stations. 

Seaman. 

C Ditto,  brother  to  the 
^ Captain. 

. - Ditto. 

- Ditto. 

. - Ditto. 

- Ditto. 

- Ditto. 

- Ditto. 

- Ditto. 

- - Ditto. 

- - Ditto. 

- Ditto. 

f Linguift,  a native  of 
B EN  GAL,  calling  him- 
(_  fell  a Psriu^nife. 


4 ANACCOUNTOF 

made  the  fiiip  labor,  fo  as  to  oblige  them  to  pump  ere* 
ry  two  hours.  The  boatfwain  and  carpenter  were  both 
t^'.ken  ill  in  the  night  with  a cold  and  a flight  fever.  In 
the  afternoon  a fail  was  feen  to  the  S.  E.  which  they 
took  to  be  a Pvrtugueje  vefliel  bound  to  Macoa.  The 
wind  veered  round  to  the  fouthward  this  day  ; no  obfer- 
vaticn  of  latitude. 

July  23.  The  wind  foutherly,  with  cloudy  wea- 
ther and  fame  light  fqualls  and  rain.  They  noticed 
this  forenoon  feveral  ripplings  in  the  water,  as  if  in  a 
tide  or  current ; the  fea  was  fomewhat  fallen,  and  the 
fliip  made  lefs  water.  No  obfervation  of  latitude  this 
day,  the  fun  being  in  the  zenith. 

July  24.  The  weather  was  very  fqually,  with  rain 
and  a great  fwell.  The  boatfwain  and  carpenter  were 
much  recovered,  fo  as  to  be  able  to  go  about  their 
duty,  in  fecuring  the  ports  and  preparing  the  (hip  for 
bad  weather.  By  an  indifferent  obfervation  at  noon, 
tney  found  themfclves  in  latitude  19°  29'  north. 

jijy  25.  The  weather  continued  very  dark  and 
r’oudy,  with  thunder,  Iiglitnliig',  aud  hard  rain,  fo  that 
the  fln'p  w'as  in  a manner  deluged,  and  every  one  w'et 
ar.d  uncomfortable.  About  three  o’clock  in  tli^dkr- 
noon  they  faw  the  appearance  of'  land  from  the  ofclc, 
being  the  BaJ!:ee  Iflands,  bearing  from  S.  E.  to  E.  N. 
E.  At  fix  o’clock  the  northernmoll  ifland  bore  N.  E. 
by  E.  At  night  the  weather  being  but  indifferent  and 
liazy,  fo  that  they  could  not  keep  light  of  the  land, 
they  (hortened  fail  and  lay  to  till  the  morning. 

When  at  day -break  they  again  faw  the  land  to  lee- 
ward of  them,  being  the  fame  they  had  feen  the  night 
before  ; from  this  clrcumftance  they  concluded  there  was 
no  current ; and  as  foon  as  the  light  opened  a little 
more  upon  them,  they  made  fail  and  bore  away  before 
the  wind,  to  go  round  the  northernmoll  ifland,  which 
they  did  at  about  four  or  five  miles  diftance.  d he  wea- 
ther being  hazy  when  they  firft  faw  tlie  land,  they  had 
but  a ver)'  irriperfeft  view  of  the  iflands.  The  firft  ap- 
peared to.be  long,  and  tolerably  even.  The  fccond  was 
likewife  long,  of  a pretty  equal  height,  except  ni  two 


the  TELEW  islands.  5 

or  three  plnces>  where  it  lecmed  to  rile  into  lulls:  near 
the  middle  of  it  was  one  verj"  remarkable,  from  Its  being 
in  fliape  like  a Chintje  or  Tartar  woman’s  hat.  The 
third  ifland  (liewed  like  two  rugged-t'opped  mountains, 
joined  together  by  low  land.  The  fourth  was  a high, 
large,  double-peaked  rock,  appearing  to  have  little  toil 
or  wood  upon  it.  The  lifth  was  vei"y  high  and  uneven, 
devoid  of  wood,  except  a tew  green  bulhes  towards  its 
fummit.  There  were  no  figns  of  iulubitants  upon  any 
of  thcll-  illands,  a:id  the  weather  being  fqually,  our  peo- 
ple foon  loll  fight  of  them  ; at  noon  they  were  ;n  lati- 
tude 21°  14'  north,  by  obfervation,  when,  having  run 
about  fifteen  leagues  to  the  eaftward  of  the  idands,  they 
hauled  up  more  to  the  foiithward.  In  hopes  to  get  into 
fmoother  water,  and  better  weather  than  they  had  hi-- 
therto  met  with  fince  leaving  Macoa.  Soon  after  noon, 
the  man  at  the  mall-head  difeovered  the  fore-top-maft  to 
be  fprung  ; they  immediately  took  In  the  fails,  and  got 
down  the  top-gallant-mall',  and  prepared  to  get  down  the 
top-mad,  but  were  obliged  to  dedd  on  account  of  the 
weather,  until  the  next  morning,  when  it  proving  fair, 
with  tolerable  fmooth  water,  all  hands  went  bulily  to 
wQik  to  get  up  a new  fore-top-mad,  and  to  diy  and  air 
dlHllip,  as  alfo  to  fecure  what  cattle  and  dock  remain- 
ed, much  having  perlfhed  in  the  rains  and  bad  weather. 
The  next  morning  alfo  being  fine  and  fair  ; this  oppor- 
tunity was  embraced  to  open  the  ports,  and  walh  and 
cleanfe  the  Ihip  belovv,  as  well  as  to  overhaul  and  clean 
tlieir  fmall  arms,  and  give  the  officers  indrutllons  for 
the  voyage.  In  the  evening  there  was  very  hard  rain, 
with  variable  winds. 

July  29.  But  the  fucceeding  day,  the  wind  being  fa- 
vorable, gave  them  an  opportunity  of  examining  and  dry- 
ing fome  of  their  provifion,  particularly  fome  Chiricf: 
hams  and  dry  filh,  which  condituted  part  of  their  vitlu-  ' 
ailing,  and  had  got  damp  in  the  exceffive  rains.  They 
faw  a great  quantity  of  filh  fwimming  about  the  Ihip, 
but  could  not  catch  any,  as  they  would  not  take  the 
baits.  No  rains  during  the  lad  twenty-four  hours,  but 
the  next  morning  the  weather  became  overcad  and  they 
A 2 were 


6 ANACCOUNTOF 

were  again  viOted  with  rain  in  the  evening,  which  con- 
tinued very  hard  all  night  and  the  fucceeding  day,  with 
variable  winds,  fo  that  they  made  very  little  progrefs  on 
their  voyage.  The  next  morning  was  more  moderate, 
and  towards  noon  the  weather  cleared  up  and  they  got 
an  obfervation,  by  which  they  found  their  latitude  was 
16'^  2j'  north.  In  the  afternoon  it  fell  calm,  which 
gave  them  the  means  of  trying  the  current,  which  they 
found  to  fet  to  the  E.  N.  E.  at  the  rate  of  half  a 
mile  an  hour.  In  the  evening  Captain  Wiljon  exercifed 
fome  of  the  Chinefe  men  with  rowing  in  the  jolly-boat 
for  an  hour  or  two,  to  teach  them  to  ufc  an  oar  when 
needful.  The  following  day  being  fair,  and  the  wind 
moderate,  all  were  again  employed  in  clearing  and  clean- 
ing the  fnip  and  fetting  up  the  rigging.  In  the  after- 
noon they  had  an  obfervation  for  the  longitude,  by  the 
diftance-  of  the  fun  and  moon,  by  which  they  found 
themfelves  in  126  degrees  and  a half  call  of  Greenwich. 
The  following  morning  being  alfo  fair,  divine  fervice 
was  performed  upon  deck  ; a ceremony  never  omitted 
on  Sundays  when  the  weather  would  allow  of  it.  In 
the  afternoon  they  got  another  obfervation  for  the  lon- 
gitude, which  confirmed  that  taken  the  preceding  day. 
At  night  they  met  w'ith  frefii  gales  of  wind,  fquall]^|^^- 
ther,  and  much  rain,  whiqh  continued  moft  part  o^lie 
next  day  ; towards  the  evening  of  wliich  they  faw  num- 
bers of  birds  and  filh,  likewife  fome  drifts  of  pieces  of 
wood  or  bamboo,  they  therefore  altered  their  courfe 
ntore  to  the  fouthward,  and  went  under  an  eafy  fail, 
keeping  a good  look  out,  until  morning,  when  it  being 
very  tempeituous  they  brought  to,  and  handed  their  top- 
fuils,  which  before  had  been  clofe  reeft.  The  weather 
continuing  to  blow  a llonn,  they  could  (how  but  very 
liitle  fail,  being  obliged  to  lay  to  under  the  llorm  Hay- 
fails,  which  continued  till  neai'  noon  on  .the  7th ; the 
ftorm  then  abating,  and  the  weather  clearing  up,  they 
got  an  obfervation  for  the  latitude,  by  which  they  found 
tiicmfelves  in  10°  16' north.  The  afternoon  the  wind 
^ was  fouthcrly,  with  frelh  gales,  but  dr)-,  fo  that  they 
were  able  the  following  morning  to  clean  between  decks, 

and 

> 


the  PELEW  islands.  7 

and  alfo  to  fumigate  the  fhip  with  gunpowder.  The 
cattle  had  all  pcrillied  in  the  laft  ftonn,  except  one  bul- 
lock ; the  llie-goat  alfo,  having  kidded  in  this  bad  wea- 
ther, died  together  with  her  young.  In  the  afternoon 
the  weather  became  more  moderate,  fo  that  they  w'ere 
able  to  make  fall  and  to  proceed  on  their  voyage  ; and 
the  next  day  the  weather  was  fo  fine  tney  were  enabled 
to  open  their  ports  to  air  and  dry  the  fhip  below,  as  al- 
fo again  to  examine  their  provlhons  and  Itores,  and  get 
every  thing  into  order.  They  were  now  proceeding 
chefflfully  on  their  voyage,  fondlj  flattering  thcmfelves 
the  adverfe  weather,  and  the  a.ixieties  it  had  awakened, 
were  all  at  an  end,  when  they  were  fuddenly  overwhelm- 
ed with  thofe  misfortunes  which  are  related  in  the  fol- 
lowing narrative. 


.CHAPTER  II. 


Lofs  of  the  Antelope,  and  the  immediate  Dflreffts  artfing 
from  the  Accident. 

Aug.'"  I ■’  HE  wind  having ‘frefliened  after  midnight, 
lo.  JL  the  fky  became  overcatt,  with  much  light- 
ning, thunder,  and  rain.  The  chief  mate  having  the 
watch  upon  deck,  had  low'ered  the  top-fails,  and  was 
going  to  reef  them  with  the  people  upon  duty,  not 
thinking  it  neceflary  to  call  the  hands  out  or  acquaint 
the  Captain,  who  had  only  quitted  the  deck  at  twelve 
o’clock;  Mr.  Benger  judging  from  the  thunder  that 
the  weather  would  break  and  clear  up,  and  only 
prove  a flight  fquall.  The  people  being  upon  tnc  yards 
reefing  the  fails,  the  man  who  was  on  the  look-out  called 
Breakers!  yet  fo  fhort  was  the  notice,  that  the  call  of 
Breakers  had  fcar’ce  reached  the  officer  upon  the  deck* 
before  the  fliip  llruck.  ' The  horror  and  difmay  this 
unhappy  event  threw- every  body  into  was  dreadful;  the 
Captain  and  all  thofe  who  were  below  in  their  beds. 


55  ANACCOUNTOF 

fprang  upon  the  deck  in  an  inftant,  anxious  fo  know 
the  caufe  of  this  fudden  fliock  to  the  fliip,  and  the 
confufion  above;  a moment  convinced  them,  of  tlicii  dif- 
treffed  fituation ; tlic  breahers  along-lide,  through  which 
the  rocks  made  their  appearance,  prefented  the  moft 
dreadful  fcene,  and  left  no  room  for  douot.  The  Ihip 
taking  a heel,  in  lefs  than  an  hour  filled  with  water  as 
high  as  the  lower  deck  hatchways;  during  this  tremen- 
dous interval,  the  people  thronged  round  ihe  Captain, 
and  earnellly  requefted  to  be  direeled  wl'.at  tc  do,  be- 
feeching  him  to  give  orders  and  they  would  immediate- 
ly execute  them. — Order  s were  in  cor  fequence  iriftantly 
given  to  fecure  the  gunpowder,  arnmui.ition,  ai.d  fmall 
arms,  and  that  the  bread,  and  fitch  other  nrovifioirs  as 
would  fpoil  by  wet,  fhould  be  brought  upon  deck  and 
fecured  by  fome  covering  from  the  raiir ; while  others 
w'ere  direfted  to  cut  a.  ay  th.-  mizen-maft,  the  main 
and  fore-top-mafts,  .'iij  1o\.  -r  yards,  to  eafe  the  Ihip  and 
prevent  her  overi’etting,  oi  wtiich  they  ’thought  there 
was  fome  hazard,  and  rhut  every  thing  Ihould  be  done 
to  preferve  her  as  Jong  as  polLblc  (the  fails  having  all 
been  clewed  up  as  foon  as  the  I'irip  ftruek.)  The  boats 
were  hoifted  out,  and  filled  with  piovifion  and  water, 
together  with  a compafs  in  each,  fome  fmali  arms,  and 
ammunition ; and  two  men  were  placed  in  eadi  boat, 
with  direftiotts  to  keep  them  under  the  lee  of  the  Ihip, 
and  be  careful  they  were  not  ftaved,  and  to  be  ready, 
to  receive  tucrr  fliip-mates  in  cafe  the  velfel  fhould  break 
to  pieces  b/  the  tiling  of  the  waves  and  the  violence 
of  the  wind,  it  Tnen  blowing  a llorm.  Every  thing 
that  could  be  thought  expedient  in  fo  diftrefsful  and 
trying  an  occafion  was  executed  with  a readinefs  and 
obedience  hardly  ever  exceeded.  The  people  all  now 
aflembled  aft,  the  quarter-deck  lying  higheft  out  of  the 
water,  the  quarter-boards  afforded  fome  little  fhelter 
from  the  lea  and  rain  j here,  after  contemplating  a few 
moments  their  wretched  fituation,  the  Captain  endea- 
voured to  revive  their  drooping  fpirlts,  which  began  to 
fink  through  anxiety  and  fatigue,  by  reminding  them 
that  fhipwreck  was  a misfortune  to  which  thofe  who 

navigated; 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  9 
navigated  the  Ocean  were  always  liable;  that  theirs  indeed 
was  more  difficult,  from  happening  in  an  unknown  and  un- 
frequented fea,  but  that  this  confideratlon  (hould  roufe 
their  moft  aftive  attention,  as  much  muft  depend  on 
themfelves  to  be  extricated  from  their  diftrefs;  that  when 
thefe  misfortunes  happened,  they  were  often  rendered 
more  dreadful  than  they  otherwife  would  be  by  the 
defpair  and  difagreement  of  the  crew;  to  avoid  which, 
it  was  ftrongly  recommended  to  every'  individual  not  to 
drink  any  fpirltuous  liquor.  A ready  confent  w’as  given 
to  this  advice;  and,  they'  being  all  wet  and  fatigued  with 
cxceffive  labor,  it  was  thought  advifable  to  take  fome 
refrefhrtient,  which  to  each  perfon  was  a glafs  of  w'Ine 
and  fome  bifeuit;  after  eating,  a fecond  glafs  of  w'ine 
was  given  them,  and  they  now  w'aited  with  the  utmoft. 
anxiety  the  return  of  day,  ;n  hope  of  feeing  land,  for 
as  yet  they  had  not  difeovered  any ; the  third  mate  and 
one  of  the  quarter- mailers  only,  in  the  momentary  in- 
terval of  a dreadful  flafh  of  lightning,  imagined  they  had 
feen  the  appearance  of  land  ahead  of  the  Ihip.  During  thefe 
aaxicus  moment^  •’•.ey  e^yirs'-ored  to  confole  and  cheer 
one  another,  and  each  w’as  advifed  to  clothe  and  prepare 
himfelf  to  quit  the  Ihip  when  neceffity  lliould  make  that 
ftep  inevitable;  and  herein  the  utmoft  good  order  and 
regularity  were  obferved,  not  a man  offering  to  take  any 
thing  but  what  truly  belonged  to  himfelf,  nor  did  any 
one  of  them  either  alk  for,  or  attempt  to  take  a dram, 
or  complain  of  negligence  or  mifcondudl  againft  the 
watch  or  any  particular  perfon.  The  dawn  of  day  dif- 
eovered to  their  view  a fmall  ifiand  to  the  fouthward, 
abput  th.ree  or  four  leagues  diftant,  and  foon  after  fome 
other  iilands  were  feen  to  the  eaftward.  They  now  felt 
apprehenfive  on  account  of  the  inhabitants,  of  w'hofe 
dlfpofitions  they  were  Itrangers;  howeve.-,  after  manning 
the  boats,  and  loading  them  in  the  heft  manner  they 
could  for  the  general  good,  they  departed  from  the  lliip 
under  the  care  of  Mr.  Benger,  who,  together  with  the 
people  in  them,  were  eameftly  requefted  to  endeavor  to 
obtain  a friendly  intercourfe  with  the  inhabitants  if  they 
found  any',  and  carefully  to  avoid  any  difagreement  un- 


lo  ANACCbUNTOF 

lefs  reduced  to  the  laft  neceflity,  as  the  fate  of  all  might 
depend  upon  the  firft  interview.  As  foon  as  the  boats 
were  gone,  thofe  who  remained  went  immediately  to 
work  to  get  the  booms  overboard,  in  order  to  make  a 
raft  to  fecure  themfelves,  as  the  Antelope  was  hourly  ex- 
pefted  to  go  to  pieces,  and  the  utmoft  difquietude  was 
entertained  for  the  fafety  of  the  boats,  not  only  on 
account  of  the  natives,  but  alfo  of  the  weather,  it  con- 
tinuing to  blow  very  hard. — But  in  the  afternoon  they 
perceived  with  inexpreffible  joy  the  boats  coming  off;  a 
fight  the  more  welcome,  as  they  were  fearful  from  their 
long  flay,  they  might  have  met  with  fome  difafter,  either 
from  the  inhabitants,  or  the  ftorm ; they  were  however 
happily  relieved  from  this  anxiety  by  their  getting  fafe 
to  the  fhip  about  four  o’clock,  having  left  the  ftores  and 
five  men  on  fhore.  They  brought  the  welcome  news 
that  there  was  no  appearance  of  inhabitants  on  the  iiland 
where  they  had  landed ; that  they  liad  found  a fecure 
harbor  well  fheltered  from  the  weather,  and  alfo  fome 
frefh  water.  Every  one  now  purfued  their  labor  with 
renovated  fpirits  to  complete  the  raft,  which  was  in 
great  fortvardnefs  when  the  boats  returned;  this  being 
completed,  they  took  a fecond  refrefhment  of  bread 
and  wine,  each  individual  having  ftriftly  conformed  to 
the  promife  made  to  Captain  Wilfon,  not  to  drink  any 
ftrong  liquor.  We  mull  not  omit  here  mentioning  a 
melancholy  accident  which  happened  among  the  events 
of  this  difaflrous  morning;  foon  after  day -break  the 
mizen-maft  being  found  near  the  fliip’s  flern,  and  fome 
of  the  rigging  entangled  in  the  mizen-chains,  Godfrey 
Minis  went  to  cut  it  adrift,  in  doing  which  he  unfor- 
tunately flipped  and  fell  overboard,  and  although  the 
boats,  which  were  not  then  gone,  went  inftantly  to 
his  afliftance,  he  was  unfortunately  drowned,  owing,  as 
was  fuppofed,  to  having  encumbered  himfelf  with  too 
many  clothes,  when  he  prepared  himfelf,  as  before  re- 
lated, to  be  ready  to  quit  the  (hip. 

The  raft  being  now  completed,  was  loaded  with  as 
much  provlfion  and  ftores  as  it  could  carry,  confiftently 
with  the  fafety  of  the  people  who  were  to  go  on  it. 

The 


THE  PEI.  EW  ISLANDS.  ii 

The  pinnace  and  jolly-boat  were  likewife  filled  with  pro- 
vifion,  ammunition,  and  fmall  arms,  in  which  was  placed 
their  greateft  fecurity.  The  people  being  ftill  anxioufiy 
employed  in  faving  whatever  they  could,  and  the  (hip 
beginning  to  have  a little  motion  from  the  rifing  of  the 
tide,  there  was  great  apprehenfion  that  the  main-mad 
would  fall  over  the  fide,  in  which  cafe  it  mud  have  dropt 
on  the  raft,  and  dedroyed  it,  and  have  rendered  all  their 
labors  fruitlefs.  The  raft  and  pinnace  being  ready  to 
depart,  and  the  evening  advancing,  the  boatfwain  was 
defired  to  go  into  the  (hip,  and  to  wind  his  call,  in  or- 
der to  alarm  thofe  who  were  bufily  employed  below 
(and  whom  Captain  IVilfon  had  repeatedly  entreated  to 
defid)  to  go  into  the  boats  and  raft,  that  they  might 
endeavor  to  get  on  (hore  before  night,  and  feciire  what 
they  had  already  got  out  of  the  (hip.  And  here  it  may 
be  worth  noticing,  the  great  care  and  attention  of  the 
carpenter,  who  was  fo  intent  on  faving  what  tools  and 
dores  he  could,  that  he  remained  below  after  the  pin- 
nace and  raft  were  departed,  and  Captain  Wilfon  was 
obliged  to  compel  him  to  go  into  the  jolly-boat,  fo 
anxious  was  he  to  provide  and  take  with  him  whatever 
he  thought  might  contribute  to  their  future  relief. 

Thus  with  aching  hearts,  and  deep  melancholy,  they 
quitted  the  . Antelope,  totally  ignorant  of  their  future 
dediny.  The  pinnace,  with  fome  of  the  douted  of  the 
(hip’s  crew,  took  the  raft  in  tow;  the  jolly-boat  alfo 
alfided,  by  towing  the  pinnace  till  they  had  cleared  the 
reef;  after  which,  being  too  heavily  laden  to  be  of 
much  further  aid,  thofe  in  the  pinnace  cad  loofe  their 
rope,  and  the  jolly-boat  proceeded  alone  to  the  (hore, 
where  they  arrived  about  eight  o’clock  at  night,  and 
found  their  companions  who  had  been  left  in  the  morn- 
ing. Thefe  few  men  had  not  been  idle,  or  unmindful 
of  their  fellow -fufferers;  having  employed  themfelves  in 
clearing  away  a fpot  of  ground,  and  had  eredled  a fmall 
tent  with  a fail,  in  readinefs  for  their  reception.  The 
fituation  both  of  thofe  on  the  raft,  as  well  as  thofe  in 
the  pinnace,  was  truly  dreadful  till  they  had  cleared  the 
reef  (which  was  more  than  half  an  hour;)  by  the  great 


IZ  ANACCOUNTOF 

fxirf  and  fpray  of  the  fea,  the  pinnace  and  raft  were 
often  out  of  fight  of  each  other;  thofe  on  the  latter 
were  obliged  to  tie  themfelves,  and  cling  to  it  with  all 
their  llrength,  to  prevent  being  wafhed  off;  and  the 
fhrieks  of  the  Chhiefe,  Icfs  inured  to  the  perils  of  an  ele- 
ment they  were  then  conflicting  with,  did  not  a little 
aggravate  the  horror  of  the  fcene. 

Having  cleared  the  reef,  and  got  into  the  channel 
which  flows  between  that  and  the  iflands,  they  found 
themfelves  in  deep  water,  and  a lefs  difturbed  fea;  they 
hoifted  the  fails  of  the  pinnace,  and  got  on ; but  as  they 
approached  the  land,  perceiving  a ftrong  current,  which 
fet  them  much  to  leeward  of  the  ifland  where  they  had 
left  the  {lores  and  people  in  the  morning,  they  dropped 
their  fails  and  rowed.  They  found  the  current  Hill 
much  ftronger  as  they  got  nearer  the  fhore,  and  though 
every  man  exerted  his  utmoft;  llrength  they  ftill  continu- 
ed to  drop  to  leeward.  Feeling  now  their  inability  to 
refill  the  current,  and  the  llrength  of  the  rowers  h^ing 
almoft  exhaulled,  it  was  judged  for  the  fafety  of  a!!, 
that  the  pinnace  Ihould  take  the  people  from  off  the  raft, 
and  bring  the  raft  to  a grapnel  during  the  night.  Thefe 
addition^  men  from  the  raft  double  banked  the  oars  of 
the  pinnace,  and  relieved  the  rowers,  but  at  the  fame 
time  they  fo  crowded  her,  that  (he  could  barely  keep 
herfelf  above  water,  being  then  clofe  under  a rocky 
coall,  in  about  fixteen  fathom  water  (as  they  afterw'ards 
better  knew.)  They  were  only  able  to  advance  flowly; 
but  as  they  drew  nearer  to  the  ifland  whither  the  others 
w'cre  gone  before,  the  jolly  boat  having  unladen  her  car- 
go, Captain  Wilfon,  with  four  people,  was  returning  i 

in  her,  to  lighten  the  raft  and  pinnace,  and  give  them  i 

full  afliftance,  and  it  being  dark,  hailed  the  pinnace  at 
a dillance.  Whether  it  w'as  from  the  great  fatigue  the 
people  had  fullained  while  on  the  raft,  or  from  their 
voice  and  fpirits  being  exhaulled,  or  from  the  fudden 
joy  of  perceiving  they  were  fo  near  again  to  their  com-  i 
rades,  but  the  halloo  was  anfw'ered  in  fo  Ihrill  and  un- 
accuftomed  a manner,  that  thofe  who  were  in  the  jolly-  | 
boat,  who  had  previoufly  heard  the  paddling  of  oars, 

fuppoftd 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  13 

fuppofed  they  were  natives ; as  the  people  tvho  had  Re- 
mained on  (hore  in  the  moriiing  witli  the  ftorcs,  had  dif- 
coveredj  after  the  boats  had  left  them,  tiaces  of  fome 
people  having  been  latdy  upon  the  illand,  by  feeing 
places  where  there  had  been  iires,  with  fome  filh  bones 
and  pieces  of  cocoa-nut  (hells  fcattered  about,  that  had 
not  the  appearance  of  having  lain  long  there ; thefe  cir- 
c’unttances  inducing  the  jolly-boat’s  crew  to  conclude, 
that  the  return  of  the  halloo  came  from  a party  of  the 
natives,  they  precipitately  returned  back  into  the  cove. 
The  pinnace  arriving  foon  after,  all  thefe  alarms  were 
dillipated,  and  an  uiiiverfal  joy  fpread  itfelf  over  eveiy 
countenance  on  feeing  one  another  again  on  dry  land. 
They  (hook  hands  together  with  the  utmoft  cordiality, 
evert'  one  feeling  thole  emotions  that  could  111  be  exprclT- 
ed  by  the  moft  forcible  language.  They  got  part  of  a 
checfe,  fome  blfcuit,  and  a little  water,  for  their  fupper ; 
and  by  means  of  difcharglng  a pKlol,  loaded  with  pow- 
der, into  fome  match  which  they  picked  loofe  to  ferve 
as  tinder,  they  kindled  a fire  in  tire  cove,  where  they  dri- 
ed their  clothes,  which  were  thoroughly  wet,  and  llept 
on  the  ground  alternately,  under  the  covering  of  the 
tent  w'hich  had  been  raifed.  The  night  proved  very  un- 
comfortable on  many  accounts  ; the  rain  and  wind  were 
heavy,  and  the  diftrefs  of  (ituatlon  not  a little  incrcafed 
by  the  fear  of  the  (hip  going  to  pieces,  from  the  tem- 
peftuous  weather,  before  they  (hould  be  able  to  fave  from 
her  fuch  neceffaries  as  might  be  ufeful  to  them.  They 
hauled  tlieir  boats  on  (hore,  and  fet  a watch,  .left  they 
might  happen  to  be  furprifed  by  any  of  the  natives. 

Auguft  1 1 . The  conftant  perfpiration  the  people 
had  been  in,  added  to  their  being  perpetually  wet  with 
the  fait  water,  had  produced  an  Irritation  on  their  (Icins, 
which,  with  the  added  fridfion  of  their  clothes  from 
fcvere  labour,  had  excoriated  them  in  a manner  to  make 
them  moft  miferably  fore.  At  dawn  of  day  both  the 
pinnace  and  jolly-boat  were  fent  to  the  raft,  to  try  and 
bring  it  up  ; but  tjie  wind  blowing  veiy  hard,  they  were 
afraid  to  attempt  moving  it ; they  were,  however,  for- 
B tunnte 


14  anaccountof 

tunate  enough  to  get  the  remainder  of  the  provifion  and 
fails  from  it,  and  returned  about  noon. 

1 lie  weather  proving  more  moderate  in  the  afternoon, 
ihe  boats  were  fcnt  to  the  wreck  to  bring  away  fome 
rice,  and  other  provifion,  as  alfo  to  procure  what  necef- 
farlcs  they  could  for  the  people,  who,  fiom  what  has 
been  before  faid,  ftood  in  great  need  of  them. 

Thofe  who  remained  on  fliore  were  employed  In  dry- 
ing their  powder,  and  cleaning  and  fitting  their  arms  for 
ufe,  in  cafe  of  need ; and  as  the  boats  did  not  return 
till  ten  o’clock  in  the  evening,  it  fpread  amongft  their 
xiornpanions  much  alarm  for  their  fafety,  as  the  night 
came  on  with  very  heavy  weather ; nor  indeed  were 
their  fpliits  rendered  tranquil  by  their  arrival,  for  the 
chief  mate  and  crew,  who  returned  with  the  pinnace, 
brought  the  melancholy  intelligence,  that  they  did  not 
conceive,  from  the  baclnefs  of  the  weather,  that  the 
lliip  could  hold  together  till  morning,  as  ftie  was  begin- 
ning to  part,  the  lends  or  tvales  being  ftarted  out  of 
their  places.  The  ideas  which  had  been  fondly  nurfed,' 
that  when  a calm  fucceeded  there  was  a poflibility  fhe 
might  be  floated  and  repaired,  fo  as  to  return  to  Ma- 
coA,  or  fome  part  of  China,  were  by  this  account  to- 
tally extinguifhed.  The  profpect  now  darkened  round 
them,  fear  pictured  ftrongly  every  danger,  and  hope 
could  hardly  find  an  inlet  through  which  one  ray  of  con- 
folation  might  fhoot.  They  knew  nothing  of  the  in- 
habitants of  that  country  were  fate  had  thrown  them  ; 
ignorant  of  their  manners  and  difpofitions,  as  well  as  of 
the  hoftile  feenes  they  might  have  to  encounter  for  their 
fafety  ; they  found  themfelves,  by  this  hidden  accident, 
cut  off  at  once  frorn  the  reft  of  the  world,  with  little 
probability  of  their  ever  again  getting  away.  Each  in- 
dividual threw  back  his  remembrance  to  feme  dear  object 
that  affeflioir  had  rivetted  to  his  heart,  who  might  be  in 
vain  looking  out  anxioufly  for  the  return  of  the  father, 
the  hulband,  or  the  friend,  whom  there  was  fcarcely  the 
rnoft  diftant  chance  of  their  ever  feeing  any  more.  Thefe 
refled^ons  did  not  contribute  to  make  the  night  comfort- 
fible  ; the  weather  was  far  more  tempeftuous  than  in  the 

preceding 


T HE  PE  L E W ISLAND  S.  i$ 

preceding  one  ; but  the  clothes  wliich  the  people  had 
procured  from  tlie  wreck  proved  a great  comfort  to 
them  all,  wlio  were  thereby  enabled  to  have  a change.. 


C II  A P T E II  III. 


J^lr/I  Appeiirar.ee  of  the  Natives. — ^he  curious  atul  frleuj.y 
Jnlerview  lei’U’een  iheai  and  the  Enghlh. — Captain  v/il- 
fon’s  Brotber  fent  to  the  Ktnp  oj  Pelcw,  the  Kino's  Bru~ 
thcr  remaining  oxiith  ous'  People, 


Aug.  A T day-break  every  one  went  to  work,  to  d.y 
12.  the  ftores  and  provilions  between  the  (bow- 

ers, as  it  blew  exceedingly  hard,  fo  that  the  boats  could 
not  venture  to  fea ; and  many  were  buhed  to  form  bet- 
ter tents  with  fuch  materials  as  they  had  faved.  About 
eight  o’clock  in  the  inoni'ng  Captain  U'llfon  and  Tom 
Rofe  being  on  the  beach  collccUng  water  which  dropped 
from  the  rocks,  the  people  who  were  employed  In  cleai"^ 
ing  away  the  ground,  in  the  wood  behind  them,  gave 
notice  that  fome  of  the  natives  were  approaching,  as 
they  perceived  a canoe  coming  round  the  point  into  the 
bay ; this  gave  fo  much  alarm  that  tire  people  all  (lew 
to  the  arms;  however,  as  there  w. re  only  two  canoes, 
and  thofe  having  but  few  men  in  them,  the  people  were 
defned  to  remain  ilill,  and  out  of  fight,  until  they 
Ihould  perceive  what  reception  the  Captain  and  Tom 
Rofe  met  with,  whom  they  were  convinced  the  natives 
had  difeovered,  as  they  converled  together,  and  kept 
ftedfaftly  looking  towards  that  part  of  the  (Irore  where 
they  were  ; our  people  w’ere  ddired  to  be  prepared  for 
the  word,  but  by  no  means  to  appear  for  the  prefent, 
or  (hew  any  figns  of  diilrud  when  tiicy  did,  unlefs  the 
behaviour  of  the  natives  to  them  (liould  render  it  abfo- 
lutcly  ncccf.hsry.  In  this  fnort  interval  of  tiu-e  the  ca- 
noes liad  advanced  cautioufly  towa-ds  the  ihore,  where 
they  dood,  when  Captain  IVilfon  ddired  Tom  Rofe  to 


i6 


AN  ACCO  UNT  O F 
fpeak  to  them  in  the  Malay  language,  which  they  did 
not  feem  to  underftand,  but  Hopped  their  canoes ; yet 
fo  -n  after  one  of  them  fpoke  in  the  Malay  tongue,  and 
a/l;cd  who  they  were  ? and  whether  they  were  friends  or 
enemies?  To  thefe  qiieftions  Tom  Rofe  was  diiecfed  to 
reply,  “ That  they  were  unfoitunate  EngTtJljmen,  who 
“ liad  loft  their  ftiip  upon  the  reef,  and  had  faved  their 
“ lives,  and  were  their  friends.”  Upon  this  they  fpoke 
a few  words  together  (which  was  fince  fuppofed  to  have 
been  the  Malay  man  explaining  to  them  what  had  been 
faid  ;)  and  prefently  they  ftepped  out  of  the  canoes  in- 
to the  water,  and  came  towards  the  fhore,  on  which 
Captain  IV'ilfon  waded  into  the  water  to  meet  them,  and 
embracing  them  in  a friendly  manner,  conduced  them 
to  the  fnore,  and  introduced  them  to  his  officers  and 
unfortunate  companions ; they  were  eight  in  number, 
two  of  whom  it  was  afterwards  known  were  brothers 
to  the  King.  They  left  one  man  in  each  canoe ; and, 
as  they  were  coming  into  the  cove,  feemed  to  look  round 
with  great  v.'atchfulnefs,  as  if  fearful  of  being  betrayed  ; 
nor  would  they  feat  themfelves  near  the  tents,  but  kept 
clofe  to  the  beach,  that  in  cafe  of  danger  they  might 
immediately  regain  their  canoes.  Our  people  now  going 
to  breakfaft,  they  were  prefei^d  with  fome  tea,  and 
fome  fweet  bifeuits,  made  at  ^hhia,  of  which  two  or 
three  jars  had  been  faved.  Only  Captain  IVllfon,  and 
one  or  two  more,  with  Tom  Rcfe  the  interpreter,  break- 
fafted  with  them  ; for,  as  they  would  probably  have  en- 
tertained doubts  of  our  people,  had  the  Englljh  fur- 
rounded  them  to  gratify  curiofity,  they  might,  from 
their  apprehenfions,  have  haftily  departed.  In  the  lit- 
tle coiiverfatitn  which  during  the  breakfaft  coul‘  b:  ob- 
tained, a wifli  was  exprefted  to  the  I latay  they  brought 
with  them,  of  knowing  by  what  event  he  chanced  to  be 
there.  This  fellow,  belide  his  own  and  the  Peh'U)  lan- 
guage, fpoke  a little  Dutch,  and  fome  words  of  Engli/h  : 
he  gave  the  following  account  of  liimfelf,*  viz.. — I'hat 
he  coii:manded  a trading  velfcl  belonging  to  a China  man 

at 

Tlie  future  condudl  and  behavi.wr  of  this  rave  reafon 

to  fufpeet  tlitrc  was  little  truth  in  the  ac:ount  he  gave  tihiMfelf. 


17 


T H E P E L E ISLAND  S. 

at  Ternate,  had  been  on  a trading  voyage  to  /Imhoyna 
and  Banian:,  and  had  been  caft  away,  about  ten  months- 
before,  upon  an  idand  to  the  fouthward,  which  was  with- 
in figlit  ot  where  he  then  was ; that  he  efcaprd  from 
thence  to  PehzL>,  and  had  been  kindly  received  by  the 
king,  who,  he  told  them,  was  a very  good  man,  and 
that  his  people  alfo  were  courteous. 

He  further  acquainted  them,  that  a canoe  having  been 
out  fiihing,  had  feen  the  fiiijj’s  mad  lying  down  ; and 
that  the  king  being  infonned  of  it,  fent  olT  thefe  two 
canoes,  at  four  o’clock  that  morning,  to  Inquire  what 
was  become  of  the  people  ; that  tliey  knoee  iug  w'ell  this 
harbour,  had  come  to  it  fiift,  being  a place  where  the 
canoes,  when  fiiliiug,  'often  ihclter  themfelves  in  hard 
weather. — They  fat  about  an  hour  with  Captain  WHfcn, 
tafted  the  tea,  but  h cmed  to  like  the  bifenits  better,  and 
appeared  now  to  feel  themfelves  relieved  from  every  ap- 
prchenfion.  They  w ifaed  that  one  of  our  people  might  be 
fent  in  their  canoes  to  the  Rup  ick,  or  King,  that  he  might 
fee  what  fort  of  people  they  were  ; which  was  agreed  to 
by  Captain  IVUjlr:,  who,  after  breakfad  was  ended,  intro- 
duced to  them  fcvcral  of  his  officers ; theft,  as  they  came 
up,  diook  hands  with  the  natives,  who  being  informed 
by  the  Malay  that  this  was  the  mode  of  falutation 
amongd  the  Engiijh,  ^ey  went  to  every  man  prefent, 
and  took  him  by  the  hand,  nor  ever  after  omitted  this 
token  of  regai'd,  as  often  as  they  met  our  countiymen. 

It  often  pleafes  Providence,  in  the  mod  trying  hours 
of  difficulty  and  diltrefs,  to  throw  open  fame  unlooked 
for  fource  of  confoktion  to  the  fpirits  of  the  unfortu- 
nate ! — It  was  a Angular  accident,  that  Captain  Rees 
of  the  Norlhumherland  fhould,  at  Macoa,  have  recom- 
mended to  Captain  Wilfon,  Tom  Rofe  as  a fenant,  who 
fpoke  tiie  Malay  language  perfeftly  well. 

It  was  a dill  more  Angular  circumdance,  that  a tem- 
ped ffiould  have  thiown  a Malay  on  this  fpot,  who  had 
as  a dranger  been  noticed  and  favored  by  the  kingj  and 
having  been  near  a year  on  the  iAand  previous  to  the 
lofs  of  the  Antelope,  was  become  acquainted  with  the 
language  of  the  country  ; by  this  extraordinary  event 
B z both 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF 


both  the  Engiyh  and  the  inhabitants  of  Pelew  had  each, 
a.i  interpreter  who  could  converfe  freely  together  in  the 
Malay  tongue,  and  Tom  Rofe  fpeakiiig  Engli/h,  an  eafy 
iatercourfe  was  immediately  opened  on  both  fides,  and 
all  thofe  impediments  removed  at  once,  which  would 
have  arifen  among  people  who  had  no  means  of  convey- 
ing their  thoughts  to  one  another  by  language,  but  mull 
have  tnifted  to  ligns  and  geftures,  which,  te  thofe  born 
in  climates  fo  rem.otely  fepai'ated,  might  have  given  rife 
to  a thoufand  mifconceptions.  The  natives  perceiving 
the  boats  preparing  to  be  launched,  imagined  it  was  for 
departure  ; but  being  told  our  men  were  only  going  off 
to  the  wreck  to  fetch  more  ftores  and  neceflaries  on 
fhore,  they  faid  they  would  fend  one  of  their  people 
w'ith  them,  to  pnvent  any  canoes  from  molefling  them. 

The  natives  wvre  of  a deep  copper  color,  perfedUy 
naked,  having  no  kind  of  covering  whatfoever;  their 
fl'.ins  very  foft  and  gloFy,  owing,  as  was  known  after- 
wards, to  the  external  ufe  of  cocoa-nut  oil.  Each  chief 
had  in  his  hand  a bafeet  of  beetle-nut,  and  a bamboo  fine- 
ly poli.uied  and  inlaid  at  each  end,  in  which  they  car- 
ry their  Chincm;  this  is  coral  burnt  to  a lime,  which 
they  fliake  out  through  one  end  of  the  bamboo  where 
they  carry  it,  on  the  leaf  of  the  beetle-nut,  before  they 
chew  it,  to  render  it  more  ufeful,  or  palatable.  It  was 
obferved  that  all  their  teeth  were  black,  and  that  the 
Beetle-nut  and  Chtnam,  of  which  they  had  always  a quid 
in  their  mouths,  rendered  the  faliva  red,  which,  toge- 
ther with  their  black  teeth,  gave  their  mouths  a very 
difgufling  appearance. — They  were  of  a middling  fta- 
ture,  very  flraight  and  mufcular,  their  limbs  well  form- 
ed, and  had  a particular  majellic  manner  in  walking ; 
but  their  legs,  from  a little  above' their  ancles  to  the  mid- 
dle of  their  thighs,  were  tatooed  fo  very  thick,  as  to 
appear  dy'ed  of  a far  deeper  color  than  their  lltin  : their 
hair  was  of  a fine  black,  long,  and  rolled  up  behind  in 
a fimple  manner  clofe  to  the  back  of  their  heads,  and 
appeared  both  neat  and  becoming. — None  of  them,  ex- 
cept the  younger  of  the  King’s  two  brothers,  had  a 
beard;  and  it  was  afterwards  obferved,  in  the  courfe  of 

a 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  19 

a longer  acquaintance  'A-ith  them,  that  they  in  general 
plucked  out  their  beards  by  the  root ; a \ery  few  only, 
who  had  ftrong,  thick  beards,  cherifhed  them  and  let 
them  grow. — As  they  now  feemed  to  feel  no  longer 
any  rcliraint,  they  were  conducted  round  the  cove  ; the 
ground  was  as  yet  but  llightly  and  partially  cleared, 
much  broken  fiiells  and  rock,  together  with  thorny  plants 
and  fhrubs  remaining  over  it,  nor  could  our  people  help 
being  furprifed  at  feeing  them,  barefooted  as  they  were, 
walk  over  all  this  rough  way  as  perfeftly  at  eafe  as  if  it 
had  been  the  fmootheft  ground.  But  if  the  uncommon' 
appearance  of  the  natives  of  Pelew  excited  furprife  in 
the  Englijh,  their  appearance,  in  return,  awakened  in 
their  vifitors  a far  greater  degree  of  aftoniihment. — Our 
countrymen,  during  all  the  time  they  remained  in  thefe 
iflands,  were  perfedly  convinced,  tliat  the  inhabitants 
had  never  before  feen  a white  man,  it  was  therefore  lit- 
tle to  be  wondered  that  they  viewed  them  as  a new  and 
a very  extraordinary  race  of  beings : all  they  obferved, 
and  all  they  touched,  made  them  exclaim  weelJ  weel! 
and  fometimes  iveel  a trecoy!  which  the  Malay  informed 
them  was  a declaration  of  being  well  pleafed. — 1 hey  be- 
gan with  ftroking  the  bodies  and  arms  of  the  Englt/h, 
or  rather  their  waift  coats  and  coat  fleeves,  as  if  they 
doubted  whether  the  garment  and  the  man  were  not  of 
the  fame  fubllance ; but  were  told  by  the  Malay,  that 
the  Engl'ifb  in  their  own  climate  being  expofed  to  far 
greater  cold,  were  accuftomed  always  to  be  covered,  and 
had  coverings  of  different  kinds  to  put  on  as  occafion 
required,  fo  that  they  could  be  always  dry  and  warm. 
Our  people  plainly  perceived,  by  the  geftures  of  the  Ma~ 
lay  and  the  natives,  that  this  was  what  they  were  con- 
verfing  about ; nor  could  they  avoid  obferving,  by  the 
countenances  of  the  latter,  the  quicknefs  with  which 
they  feemed  to  comprehend  whatever  information  the 
Malay  gave  them.  The  next  thing  they  noticed  was  our 
people’s  hands,  and  the  blue  veins  of  their  wriils ; and 
they  probably  confidered  the  wdiite  flein  of  the  hands  and 
face  as  artificial,  and  the  veins  as  the  Englijh  manner  of 
tatooing,  for  they  immediately  requefted,  that  the  jacket- 

fleeves 


20 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF 
ileevcs  of  the  men  might  be  drawn  up,  to  fee  if  their 
arms  were  of  the  fame  color  as  their  hands  and  faces : 
fatisfied  in  this  particular,  they  expreffed  a further  wifli 
to  fee  their  bodies ; upon  which  fome  of  the  men  open- 
ed their  bofoms,  and  gave  them  to  underftand  that  all 
the  reft  of  their  body  was  the  fame. — They  feemed  much 
aftoniftied  at  finding  hair  on  their  breafts,  it  being  con- 
fidered  with  them  as  a great  mark  of  indelicacy;  info- 
much  that  they  eradicate  it  from  every  part  of  the  body 
in  both  fexes. 

They  afterwards  walked  about,  teftifyiug  great  curi- 
ofity,  but  at  the  fame  time  exprcffing  a fear  that  they 
intruded  too  much.  As  they  had  come  on  ftiore  unarm- 
ed, this  confideration  induced  Captain  IVUfon,  before  he 
ftiewed  them  the  tents,  to  order  that  all  the  fire-arms 
fliould  be  put  out  of  fight,  by  covering  them  with  a fail, 
that  the  mutual  confidence,  which  had  fo  happily  fprung 
up  on  both  fides,  might  not  be  chilled  or  overlhadowed 
by  the  flighteft  miftruft  ; but  this  well-conceived  inten  ■ 
tion  was  fruftrated  by  an  accident. — As  our  people  were 
conducing  them  to  the  tents,  clofe  by  the  entrance,  one 
of  the  natives  picked  up  a bullet,  which  had  been  cafual- 
ly  dropped  on  the  ground,  and  immediately  expreffed  his 
fui-prife,  that  a fubftance  fo  fmall  to  the  eye  ftiould  be 
fo  very  ponderous  to  the  touch  ; he  fhevved  it  diredfly  to 
the  Malay,  who  defcribed  to  him  the  ufe  of  it,  and  feem- 
ed to  be  expatiating  on  the  nature  of  fire-arms,  for  when 
he  had  done  he  wifncd  that  one  of  our  mulkets  might  be 
ftiewn  them,  that  they  might  better  comprehend  their 
power  and  ufe. 

Our  people  had  in  the  tents  two  dogs,  who  were  con- 
fined clofe  to  the  place  wdrere  their  arms  were  depofit- 
ed ; one  of  them  was  a large  Newfoundlander,  who  had 
been  brought  up  at  fea  from  a puppy,  the  other  a fpani- 
el ; the  Newfoundland  dog  had  been  the  favorite  of  eve- 
ry one  on  board,  being  a moft  excellent  guard,  and  had 
been  taught,  during  the  voyage,  an  infinite  number  of 
tricks,  by  which  he  aft'orded  fo  much  amufement  to  the 
whole  crew,  that  there  was  not  a fallor  belonging  to  the 
Antelope  who  would  not  have  rilked  his  life  for  the  dog. 

On 


2.1 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS. 

On  entering  the  tent  with  their  new  friends,  one  of  our 
people  went  before  to  the  dogs,  to  fee  they  were  ti- 
ed up,  and  to  prevent  any  furprife  to  their  vifitors ; no 
fooner  had  they  entered  the  tent,  than  the  two  dogs  fet 
up  a moll  violent  barking,  and  the  natives  a noife  but 
little  kfs  loud  ; our  people  fcarcely  at  firll  knew  whether 
it  arofe  from  fear,  or  W'as  expreflive  of  aftonilhraent ; 
they  ran  in  and  out  of  the  tent,  and  appeared  to  wifli 
they  might  be  made  to  bark  again  ; but  the  Malr.y  foon 
explained  this  to  be  the  effefts  of  joy  and  furprife,  thefe 
animals  being  the  firft  of  the  kind  they  had  ever  fees, 
they  having  no  quadrupeds  of  any  fpecies  on  thefe  if- 
lands,  except  a very  few  grey  rats  in  the  woods. — I 
was  agreed  on  by  Captain  Wilfon  and  his  people,  that 
the  w’ilh  which  the  natives  had  exprelfed  refpejiling  the 
fending  one  of  them  to  Peleiv,  that  the  King  might  fee 
what  kind  of  Beings  white  men  w-ere,  Ihould  be  comph- 
ed  with,  and  fome  difficulty  arifing  who  fliould  be  the 
perfon,  the  Captain  requefted  his  brother,  Mr.  Matthias 
IVilfon,  to  go,  which  requell  he  readily  complied  w'ith, 
and  agreed  to  depart  with  them  in  their  canoes. 

The  Jolly-boat  w’cnt  out  of  the  cove  this  forenoon, 
but  the  badnefs  of  the  weather  obliged  her  to  put  back, 
as  did  alfo  the  canoe  that  was  returning  to  the  King,  in 
which  was  Mr.  M.  IVilfotiy  but  about  noon  the  canoe 
fet  out  again  and  proceeded  on  her  vovage.  Captain 
Wilfon  was  much  affedled  at  his  brother’s  departure,  but 
hoped  the  embaffy  might  prove  the  means  of  alleviating 
their  forlorn  fituation.  He  inftrufted  his  brother  to  in- 
form the  King  who  they  were,  to  acquaint  him  w'ith 
their  misfortunes,  and  to  folicit  his  friendlhip,  as  alfo 
his  permiffion  to  build  a veffel  to  carry  them  back  to 
their  own  country.  He  fent  by  Mr.  M.  Wilfon  a pre- 
fent  to  the  King  of  a fmall  remnant  of  blue  broad  cloth, 
a caniller  of  tea,  a caniller  of  ffigar-candy,  and  a jar  of 
rulk.  The  lall  article  was  added  at  the  particular  re- 
quefl  of  the  King’s  two  brotheis,  the  younger  of  w'hom 
returned  with  Mr.  M.  Wilfon. 

The  weather  being  rough,  our  people  employed  thcra- 
felves  in  diying  their  clothes,  and  making  their  tents' 

more 


22 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF 
more  commodious,  ^'he  natives  condiifted  our  people 
to  a well  of  frerti  water  ; the  path  leading  to  this  well, 
lying  acrofs  fteep  and  rugged  rocks,  rendered  the  track 
hazardous  and  difficult.  Richard  Sharp,  a midlhipman, 
a lad  about  fifteen,  being  on  this  duty,  the  natives  took 
him  in  their  arms  when  the  path  was  rugged,  and  they 
were  very  careful  in  thefe  places  to  affift  the  men,  who  f 
returned  with  two  jars  filled.  i 

One  canoe  and  three  men  remained  with  our  people, 
as  did  one  of  the  King's  brothers,  called  Rati  Kooi, 
commander  in  chief  of  the  King’s  forces,  and  the  Malay  j 
interpreter;  they  eat  of  fome  fowl  ftc^^'ed  with  bread, 
which  was  prepared  for  dinner,  but  would  not  eat  fome 
dices  of  ham  which  Captain  JVilfon  had  drefled  for  them,  t 

difliking  the  tafte  of  fait,  of  which  they  had  no  know-  ' 

ledge.  It  continuing  to  rain  and  blow  exceffively  hard  [ 
all  the  afternoon,  they  could  not  go  away,  but  pafled 
the  night  with  our  people,  and  appeared  to  be  perfeftly 
cafy  and  contented  with  their  reception. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


The  pinnace  goes  to  the  Ship,  and  Jinds  it  had  been  niftfidly 
fome  of  the  Natives. — The  Behaviour  of  Raa  Kook,  the 
King’s  Brother,  on  being  informed  of  it. — The  friendly 
ConduB  of  this  Chief  <whiljl  he  remained  alone  with  the 
Englifli. — A Council  held,  and  all  the  Cafhs  of  Idquor 
remaining  in  the  Antelope  ordered  to  be  faved. 

Aug.  r I ’ H E wind  and  rain  this  night  proved  far 
13.  _L  heavier  than  any  lince  th.e  wreck  ; but  at 
day-break  it  became  more  moderate,  and  the  boatfwain 
called  all  hands  out  to  work  by  v/inding  his  pipe,  the 
found  of  which  much  plealcd  and  furprifed  the  natives. 
Raa  Kook  informed  Captain  JVHfqn,  that  his  brother 
would  n^'be  able  to  return,  on  account  of  the  wea- 
ther.— About  ten  o’clock  the  pinnace  was  fent  off  to 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  23 

the  fhip;  the  people  who  remained  on  fliore  employed 
themfelves  in  clearing  the  ground  and  drying  their  pro- 
viiion.  1 he  pinnace  did  not  get  hack  till  after  dark ; 
their  long  day  awakened- uneafinefs:  they  brought  word 
that  fome  canoes  had  been  at  the  Ihip,  and  had  carried 
off  fome  iron  and  other  things,  and  it  was  fufpefted  that 
among  thefe  was  the  canoe  and  the  three  men  that  were 
left  to  attend  the  King’s  brother,  as  they  had  put  oft 
foon  after  the  pinnace,  and,  as  our  people  thought,  were 
only  gone  out  to  fHh.  They,  alfo  reported,  that  it  being 
low-water,  the  pinnace  could  not  reach  the  fliip,  hut 
the  men  were  compelled  to  wade  over  part  of  the  reef 
to  get  to  her,  and  were  now  able  to  fee  her  fituation, 
having  difeovered  that  a large  part  of  the  rock  had  made 
its  way  through  her  bottom,  and  in  two  or  tliree  places 
appeared  dry  infide  her  hold,  fo  that  Hie  remained  fixed 
on  the  reef.  They  difeovered  that  the  natives  had  found 
their  way  to  the  cockpit,  had  rummaged  the  medicine 
cheft,  tailed  feveral  of  the  medicines,  which  being  pro- 
bably not  very  palatable,  they  had  thrown  out  the  con- 
tents, and  hi||  carried  off  the  bottles,  fo  that  nothing 
remained  in  the  cheft  that  could  be  of  any  further  ufe. 
However,  it  fortunately  happened,  that  Mr.  Sharp,  the 
furgeon,  at  the  time  he  quitted  the  Ihip,  conceiving  he 
never  (hould  get  back  to  her  any  more,  had  providenti- 
ally brought  away  fome  of  the  moft  ufeful  medicines. 

When  thofe  who  returned  with  the  pinnace  brought 
this  intelligence,  and  had  informed  our  people  that  t’nef^ 
canoes  were  gone  up  to  Pekiu,  Captain  Wilfon  made 
this  tranfatlion  known  to  Raa  Kook,  not  fo  much  as  a 
matter  of  complaint,  as  to  exprefs  to  him  his  uneafi- 
nefs for  the  confequences  which  might  arife  to  the  na- 
tives from  their  tailing  or  drinking  fuch  a variety  of 
medicines.  Raa  Kook  begged  Captain  JVilfon  would  en- 
tertain no  uneafinefs  whatever  on  their  account;  that 
if  they  fuffered  it  would  be  owing  entirely  to  their  own 
mifeonduft,  for  which  he  faid  he  felt  himfelf  truly  con- 
cerned. This  converfation  pafling  at  fupper,  where  the 
General  and  linguift'vvere  eating  with  our  peafple,  feem- 
cd  greatly  to  difturb  Raa  Kook  ; lus  countenance  fully 

deferibed 


ii  AN  ACCOUNT  OF 

defcnbcd  the  Indignation  he  felt  at  the  treacherous  be- 
haviour of  his  own  men,  and  alked,  why  our  people 
did  not  fnootthem?  begging,  that  if  they,  or  any  others, 
Ihoiild  dare  again  to  attempt  plundering  the  veffel,  they 
would,  and  he  fhould  take  upon  himfelf  to  juftify  their 
conduft  to  the  King. — Fie  this  night  flept  in  the  fame 
tent  with  our  people,  who  all  redoubled  their  attention 
to  him,  perfeflly  ptrfuaded  from  the  generofity  of  his 
behaviour,  that  the  difpleafure  he  had  teftified  at  this 
injuftice  done  to  the  Engiyk,  did  not  arife  from  any 
apprehenfion  he  felt  in  being  at  that  moment  abfolutely 
in  their  power,  but  that  his  mind  poffelTed  fo  nice  a 
fenfe  of  honor  as  to  make  him  feel  unhappy  at  what 
appeared  to  him  to  be  a breach  of  hofpitality  in  his 
countrymen ; which  he  declared  Ihould  be  fully  dated  to 
to  the  King,  who  would  prevent  its  happening  in  future. 
This  amiable  Chief  (for  amiable,  he  feemed  from  fird 
fight)  flicwed  a perfeth  fatisfafkion  with  what  our  peo- 
ple could  do  for  him ; he  endeavoured  to  accommodate 
himfelf  to  their  manners,  would  lit  at  table  as  they  did, 
indead  of  fquatting  on  his  hams;  and  tlij^leafing  dif- 
pofition  of  his  induced  every  one  to  refpedl  him  as  a man 
of  an  upright  charafter,  and  fuch  they  in  truth  found 
him  to  be  in  every  tranfailion  they  afterwards  had  with 
hint. 

At  their  lird  coming,  the  Malay,  who  was  quite  naked, 
had  requeded  a pair  of  trowfers  and  a jacket,  which 
were  given  him ; and  a pair  of  trowfers,  together  with 
an  uniform  coat,  tvere  at  the  fame  time  prefented  to 
Raa  Kook,  who  diredlly  put  thenj  on,  not  a little  pleaf- 
ed  in  appearing  like  his  new  friends,  often  looking  at 
himfelf,  and  faying,  “ Raa  Kook  Englees;”  but  it  was 
fuppofed  he  found  the  heat  and  confinement  of  drefs 
very  inconvenient,'  for  after  this  vifit  he  never  wore  them ; 
and  when  Captain  W'tifon  was  at  his  houfe  at  Pelewo,  he 
perceived  he  had  put  them  up  carefully  among  w'hat  he 
deemed  his  valuables  He  podelfed  naturally  fo  un- 
bounded a curiofity,  that  not  the  fmalled  circumdance 
which  o^tirred  eicaped  his  notice  ; he  widied  to  have 
an  explanation  of  every  thing  he  faw,  to  imitate  what- 
ever 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  aj 

€Ysr  our  people  did,  and  to  inquire  into  the  principles 
and  caufes  of  all  he  obferved  brought  about  by  them, 
lending  his  perfonal  afliftancc  in  every  thing  that  was 
doing,  and  even  defined  to  aid  the  cook,  in  blowing  the 
fire. 

Our  people  finding  themfelves  now  on  a perfect  good 
underflanding  with  tliis  friendly  Chief,  did  not  hefitate 
to  afle  with  freedom,  by  tlicir  interpreter,  whatever 
their  own  cuviofity  fuggelled.  Obferving  that  he  wore 
round  his  wrift  a poliihed  bone  of  fome  creature,  in  the 
form  of  a bracelet,  and  having  noticed  that  his  brother, 
who  was  returned  to  Pelew  with  Mr.  M.  JVilfon,  had  a 
fimilar  ornament,  they  wifhed  to  know  on  what  accounf 
it  was  worn.  The  Malay  explained  this  to  the  Gene- 
ral, who,  through  him,  informed  our  people  that  it  was 
a mark  of  great  diftinilion,  conferred  by  the  King  ore 
his  own  family,  and  oa  officers  of  ftate,'  and  command- 
ers, and  that  he  wore  it,  botlr  as  brother  to  the  King, 
and  as  Commander  in  chief  of  his  army,  both  by  fea 
arid  land.  This  new  intelligence  which  our  p<:ople  had 
obtained,  excited  them  ftill  more  to  cultivate  the  friend- 
ffiip  of  a Chief,  who  though  fo  high  both  in  rank  and 
office,  had  with  fo  much  condefeenfion  and  attentive 
politenefs  /hewed  himfelf  attached  to  them. 

The  preceding  evening,  at  fupper,  a propofitiou  had 
been  made  by  Captain  V/tIfon  to  his  officers,  which  as 
It  did  not  take  place  till  this  day,  will  more  properly 
be  introduced  here ; a propofition  founded  in  the  kigheit 
prudence  and  wifdom,  and  executed  with  fuch  .refoluti- 
on  and  firmnefs  of  mind,  that  it  re/lecis  the  greatefe 
credit  on  the  Commander,  as  well  as  the  officers  and 
men  who  ferved  under  him,  and  hath  a jull  claim  to  be 
faithfully  recorded.  The  day  after  the  Jlatehpe  v/as 
wrecked,  when  the  pinnace  had  been  font  abomd  her, 
to  fecure  whatever  /lores  could  be  faved,  the  men 
baving^  for  many  hours  endured  the  fcvere/l  toil,  the 
the  chief  ofticer  thought  proper  to  ferve  them  out  fome 
ftrong  liquor;  but  as  they  were  unable  to  find  any 
thing  to  cat,  their  emptinefs  and  hard  fatigue  had  made 
the  liquor  operate  on  their  heads,  fo  that  on  their  re- 
C tun 


26  ANACCOUNTOF 

turn  back  tl»ey  were  very  noify  and  elated ; Captain 
IVilJon  therefore  now  fiibmitted  to  his  officers,  whether 
it  would  not  be  advifable  to  Rave  all  the  liquor  that  re- 
mained aboard  the  vefTel,  left  our  people,  becoming  ui- 
advertently  intoxicated,  might  be  difpofed  to  quarrel 
among  thcmfelves,  or  engage  in  difputes  with  tlie  na- 
tives; or  from  another  motive,  equally  important  to  the 
common  fafety,  left  the  natives  themfelves,  having  alrea- 
dy found  their  way  to  the  fliip,  might  difeover  the  ftrong 
liquors,  which  they  would  be  tempted  to  drink  of  too 
freely,  and,  from  never  having  before  tafted  of  fpirits, 
raight  grow  Infuriated,  and  induced  to  commit  fome 
outrage  with  our  people,  and  thereby  draw  on  a gene- 
ral conteft  and  difunion.  The  officers  univerfally  ap- 
proved the  propofition,  and  defired  Captain  WilJ'on 
would  the  next  morning  make  their  wifhes  on  this  mat- 
ter known  to  all  the  ffiip’s  company;  which  was  done 
very  early,  at  the  lime  the  boatfwain  called  all  hands  to 
work.  The  Captain  told  them  he  had  fomething  to 
lay  befo.^e  them,  in  which  their  future  welftire,  nay, 
perhaps  their  future  prefervation,  was  moft  materially 
involved  ; he  then  fubmitted  to  their  ji;dgment  the  mea- 
furc  upon  which  he  and  his  officers  had  deliberated  the 
.preceding  evening ; urged  the  propriety  of  it  to  them 
in  very'  forcible  terms,  as  a ftep  that  would  beft  autho- 
rize the  hope  of  getting  away  from  their  prefent  fitua- 
tlon,  and  feeing  once  more  their  own  country,  and  thofe 
who  were  dear  to  them  ; and  endeavoured  to  convince 
them,  that  however  reluftantly  they  might  yield  to  the 
propofition,  yet  he  was  fatisfied  -that  the  underftanding 
of  every  individual  among  them  mull,  on  refledlion, 
perceive  it  was  a meafure  abfojutely  necelfary  to  be 
adopted.  Upon  which  all  the  failors,  with  the  utmoft 
unanimity,  and  with  one  voice,  declared,  that  however 
they  might  fuffer.  from  the  deprivation  of  the  accuftom- 
ed  recruit  of  ftrong  liquor,  yet,  being  fenfible  that 
having  accefs  to  it,  they  might  not  at  all  times  ufe  It 
with  diferetion,  they,  to  their  lading  honor  as  men, 
gave  their  full  alTent  to  the  Captain’s  propofal,  and  faid, 
they  were  ready  to  go  immediately  to  the  ftiip,  and 

ftave 


the  p e l e w islands.  27 

Have  every  veflel  of  liquor  on  board  ; whicb,  on  tin’s 
day,  they  confcientioufly  performed  ; every  caflc  was 
flaved,  and  fo  fcrupuloufly  did  they  execute  their  trull, 
that  there  was  not  a fingle  man  amongll  them  who  would 
take  or  tafte  a farewell  glafs  of  any  liquor. — Circum- 
llanced  as  thefe  poor  fellows  were,  nothing  but  a long 
and  well-trained  difciplinc,  and  the  real  arfeiftion  they 
bore  their  Commander,  could  have  produced  the  forti- 
tude antj  Heady  firmnefs  which  they  tellificd  on  tliis 
occalion;  and  certainly  nothing  could  more  exhilarate 
the  fpirits  of  their  officers,  or  more  endc^f  the  men  to 
them,  than  this  conqueft  they  Ihewcd  over  themfelves. — 
What  indeed  was  there  not  to  be  hoped  from  fucli  ;i. 
band  of  brave  fellows,  whom  unanimity,  affeflion,  and 
mutual  confidence,  had  united  in  one  unremitting  plan 
of  exertion,  for  the  prefervation  of  the  whole  ! — The 
intelligence  of  this  bufinefs  being  fo  faithfully  perform- 
ed, was  brought  this  evening  by  the  officer  who  attend- 
ed the  men,  and  who  came  back  with  the  pinnace  af- 
ter dark,  as  before  mentioned,  and  was  confirmed  by  all 
the  others  who  alfillcd  ; and  if  any  thing  could  add  tr> 
the  fatisfadlory  manner  in  which  it  had  been  executed, 
it  was  to  perceive,  that,  when  they  all  fat  down  to  flip- 
per, the  event  did  not  produce  a fingle  difeontented 
countenance. 


CHAPTER 


zS 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF 


chapter  V. 


Arra  Kooker,  the  ICmg^s  Brother,  returns  from  Pelew» 
and  is  foon  after  followed  by  Mr.  Matthias  Wilfon, 
who  gives  a very  favorable  Account  of  the  Manner  in 
. which  he  had  been  received. — Regulatiotu  made  by  the 
Eiigliln  for  flablijhhig  a Nightly  Guard. — The  General 
and  Arra  Kooker  informed  of  it. — They  approve  tint 
Scheme,  which  is  immediately  put  in  Execution. — Some 
CharaSer  of  Arra  Kooker. 

Aug.  * H ^ H E next  morning  two  canoes  arrived  with 
14*  JL  yams,  ready  boiled,  and  forae  cocoa-nuts, 
which  were  prefented  to  Captain  Wilfon.  In  one  of  thefc 
viKAiArra  Kooker,  the  King’s  brother,  returned  back,  who 
brought  with  him  one  of  the  King’s  fons ; Raa  Kook 
went  immediately  to  receive  his  nephew,  and  much  con- 
verfation  feemed  to  pafs  between  them.  Arra  Kooker 
infonned  his  brother,  that  three  men  had  died  of  the 
things  they'  had  taken  and  drank  out  of  the  medicine- 
chell ; the  General  replied,  that  the  EngHJb  had  told 
him  this  might  be  the  confequence,  and  he  was  glad  they 
had  fufiered  for  their  bad  cor.du.ft.  The  meffage  which 
tlie  King’s  fon  had  brought  from  his  father  was  deliver- 
ed to  the  General,  and  from  him  interpreted  to  our  peo- 
ple, th.rongh  the  Malay  the  puiport  of  it  was,  to  bid 
the  Englifc  welcome  into  his  country,  and  to  inform  them, 
that  they  had  his  full  leave  and  permiflion  to  build  a 
vclfel  on  the  ifland  on  which  they  then  were,  or  that 
they  might  remove  to,  and  build  it  on  the  ifland  where 
he  lived  himfclf,  and  be  under  his  own  more  immediate 
jircteftion.  This  being  communicated,  he  introduced 
the  young  Prince  to  all  our  people,  and  then  walked 
about  with  him,  and  fiiewed  and  explained  to  lilm  every 
thing  which  he  liad  made  himlelf  acquainted  with  re- 
lative to  o’.ur  mr.uaers-  tiis  nephew,  who  appeared  to 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  29 

be  about-twenty  one,  was  as  full  of  altonifinnent  at  what 
lie  faw,  as  the  uncle  himfelf  had  been  before ; and  R^t 
Kook  difcovered  no  ftnall  degree  of  pleafure  in  percciv- 
ing  the  eager  delight  with  which  his  young  relation 
noticed  every  thing  which  his  attention  was  diredled 
to. 

Whilft  this  engaged  the  General  and  the  Prince,  our 
people  were  quehioning  /Irra  Koakcr,  with  anxious  con- 
cern, about  Mr.  IVilfun,  whom  he  had  conveyed  to 
Pelew,  and  whom  they  did  not  fee  return  with  him; 
Arya  Kookir  alfured  them  they  would  fee  him  very  foon  ; 
that  he  had  only  been  detained  by  the  wind,  and  was 
actually  on  his  way.  He  then  deferibed  by  figns  and 
geftures  (for  he  had  a very  particular  turn  for  mimlciy 
and  humor)  the  apprehenlions  Mr.  M,  lyUfon  had  been 
under,  when  he  was  at  Pelcw,  which  he  endeavoured 
to  convince  them  he  had  veiy  unneceflarily  entertained. 
It  was  not  long  before  our  people  were  made  happy 
by  his  fafe  return;  who  had,  as  he  told  them,  under- 
gone no  fmall  degree  of  alarm,  though  it  turned  out 
to  be  more  founded  In  irnaglnaiy  fear,  than  In  any  real 
danger.  He  made  a very  favorable  rqiort  of  the  people 
of  Pelew,  that  they  feemed  to  be  friendly  in  their  dif- 
pofition,  and  had  treated  him  with  much  civility  and 
kindnefs: — The  account  of  his  expedition,  as  related  to 
me  by  himfelf,  was  as  follows  : 

“ When  the  canoe  in  which  I went  away  came  near 
“ the  ifland  where  the  King  lived,  a vaft  concourfe 
“ of  the  natives  ran  out  of  their  honfes  to  fee  me  come 
“ on  fliore ; the  King’s  brother,  who  accompanied  me, 
“ took  me  by  the  hand,  and  conduded  me  from  the 
“ landing-place  up  to  the  town,  where  there  was  a mat 
“ fpread  upon  a fquare  pavement,  on  which  he  by  figns 
“ direded  me  to  fit  down.  I obeyed,  and  in  a little  time 
“ the  King  appeared,  which  being  notified  to  me  by  his 
“ brother,  I arofe,  and  made  my  obeifar.ee  after  the 
“ manner  of  caftern  nations,  lifting  up  my  hands  to  my 
“ head,  and  inclining  my  body  forward;  to  which  he 
“ did  net  feem  to  pay  ady  attention.  After  this  cere- 

raony,  I offered  the  King  the  prefents  my  brother 
i C 2 •<  had 


30  ANACCOUNTOF 

had  font  by  me,  which  he  received  in  a very  graci- 
ous .'.lanner.  His  brother,  yirra  Kooher,  now  talked 
“ a good  deal  with  him,  which  I conceived  was  to  ac- 
“ f)iiaint  him  with  our  difafter,  and  our  numbers;  after 
which  the  King  eat  fome  of  the  fugar-candy,  feemed 
“ to  rclilh  it,  and  diftributed  a little  of  it  to  feveral 
“ of  his  Chiefs,  and  then  direfted  all  the  things  to  be 
taken  away  and  carried  to  his  own  houfe  ; which  be- 
“ ing  done,  he  ordered  refrefliments  to  be  brought, 
which  confifted  of  a cocoa-nut  filled  with  warm 
“ water,  and  fweetened  with  molalTes;  after  tailing  it, 
“ he  commanded  a little  boy  who  was  near  him  to  climb 
“ a cocoa-tree  and  gather  frelh  nuts,  he  cleared  one 
“ from  the  hulks,  and  tailing  the  milk  thereof,  bade 
“ the  little  boy  prefent  it  to  me,  making  figns  to  me 
“ to  fend  it  back  when  I had  drank;  ho  afterwards 
broke  the  nut  in  two,  eat  a little,  and  returned  it  to 
“ me  to  cat  of  it. 

“ I now  found  myfelf  furrounded  bjr  a vail  con- 
“ courfe  of  bo.h  fexes;  much  converfation  took  place 
between  the  King,  his  brother,  and  the’Chiefs  who 
“ were  with  him.  As  their  eyes  were  repeatedly  di- 
“ rented  to  me,  I concluded  I was  the  fubjedl  of  it. 

Taking  off  my  hat  by  accident,  all  who  were  pre- 
“ font  firemed  ftruck  with  allonilhment,  which  I perceiv- 
“ ing,  unbuttcr  ed  my  waillcoat,  and  took  my  Ihoes  from 
“ my  feet,  in  order  that  they  might  fee  they  were  no 
“ part  of  my  body  ; being  of  opinion,  that  at  firft. 
“ fight  of  me,  they  entertained  a notion  that  my  clothes 
conlliiutcd  a part  of  my  perfon;  for,  when  undeceived 
“ in  this,  they  came  nearer  to  me,  llroked  me,  and  put 
“ their  hands  into  my  bofom  to  feel  my  Ikin. 

“ It  being  now  grown  rather  dark,  the  King,  his 
“ brother,  feveral  others,  and  myfelf,  retired  into  a houfe, 
“ where  there  was  a fupper  brought  in  of  yams  boiled 
“ whole,  on  a Hand  or  llool  with  a rim  or  edge  round' 
“ It  o(  tliree  or  four  inches  high  ; in  a dllli  or  wooden 
“ bowl  was  a kind  of  pudding  made  alfo  of  yarns  boil- 
“ ed  and  beat  together,  juil  as  w'e  malli  potatoes,  of 
“ wluch  they  put  three  or  four"  in  a bowl  or  dlllr.  'i'bey 

“ had 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  31 

had  likewife  fome  (hell-fifh,  but  of  what  kind  I could 
“ not  make  out.  They  conduced  me  after  fupper  to 
“ another  houfe  at  fome  dillance  from  the  lirft,  where 
“ I found  at  leaft  forty  or  fifty  men  and  women ; I was 
“ kd  thither  by  a female,  who,  when  I h^d  entered  the 
“ houfe,  made  figns  to  me  to  fit,  or  lie  down  on  a mat 
“ that  was  fpread,  as  1 underftood,  on  the  floor  for  me 
“ to  fleep  on.  After  the  reft  of  the  company  had  all 
“ fatisfled  their  curiofity  by  viewing  me  very  accurate- 
“ ly,  they  all  went  to  deep,  and  I laid  myftlf  down  011 
“ the  mat,  drawing  another  mat  over  me,  which  I fup- 
“ pofed  was  placed  there  for  that  purpofe,  refting  my 
“ head  on  a block  of  wood,  which  ferves  the  people 
“ here  as  a pillow.  Unable  to  flumber,  I lay  perfe6lly 
“ ftill;  and  fome  confiderable  time  after,  when  all  feem- 
“ ed  quiet,  about  eight  men  arofe,  and  began  to  make 
“ two  great  fires  at  each  end  of  the  houfe  (which  was 
“ not  divided  by  partitions,  but  formed  one  large  habi- 
“ tation.)  This  operation  of  theirs,  I confefs,  alarmed 
“ me  very  much  indeed ; I thought  of  nothing  lefs  thaa 
“ that  the  natives  were  going  to  roaft  me,  and  that 
“ they  had  only  laid  themfelves  down  that  I might 
“ alfo  drop  afleep,  and  Intended  to  feize  me  in  that 
“ fituation.  — However,  being  furrounded  by  a danger 
“ which  there  was  no  pofllbility  of  efftiplng,  I colledl- 
“ ed  all  my  fortitude,  and,  recommending  myfelf  to 
“ the  Supreme  Difpofer  of  all  events,  I expefted  eve- 
“ ry  moment  to  nreet  my  fate;  when,  to  my  great  fur- 
“ prife,  after  fitting  a little  w’hile  and  waiming  them- 
“ lelves,  I perceived  they-  all  retired  again  to  their  mats, 
“ nor  got  up  any  more  till  day-break,  when  I arofe  and 
“ walked  about,  encircled  by  great  numbers  of  men, 
“ w'omen,  and  children.  It  was  not  long  before  the 
“ King’s  brother  joined  me,  and  w'cnt  with  me  to  fe- 
“ veral  houfes,  where  I was  entertained  w'ith  yams, 
“ cocoa-nuts,  and  fvveetmeats. — Being  after  this  con- 
dufted  to  the  King,  I fignified  to  him  by  geftures 
“ that  I much  wiilied  to  go  back  to  my  brother;  he 
“ pcrfeftly  underftood  me,  and  explained  to  me  by  figns 
tkat  the  canoes  could  uot  go  out,  there  being  too 

“ muoli 


32  A N AC  C O UNT  Q F 

“ much  wind  and  fea.  To  defcribe  the  firft  he  poi'itted 
“ up  to  the  trees,  and  blew  ttrongly  with  his  mouth; 
“ and,  to  mark  the  too  great  force  of  the  fea  on  the  ca- 
“ noes,  he  joined  his  two  hands  together  with  the  palms 
“ upwards,  then  lifted  them  up,  and  turned  them  the 
t<  reverfe  v/ay,  to  exprefs  to  me  that  the  canoes  would 
“ overfet.  - The  remainder  of  the  day  I fpent  in  walk- 
“ Ing  about  the  ifland  and  obferving  its  produce.  I 
“ found  it  confided  diiefly  of  yams  and  cocoa-nuts; 
“ the  former  they  cultivate  with  great  care  in  large 
“ plantations,  in  fwampy  watery  ground,  like  the  rice 
“ in  India.  The  cocoa-nut  trees  grow  very  near  to  their 
“ houfes,  as  does  alfo  the  beetle-jiut,  which  they  chew 
“ as  tobacco.”  The  favorable  account  brought  by 
Mr.  M.  IVilfon,  and  the  meflage  which  the  King  had 
fo  gracioufly  fent  to  Captain  tVHfon  by  his  fon>  could 
not  fail  of  giving  fpirits  to  all  our  people. 

Captain  Wilfon  drelTed  the  King’s  fon  in  a filk  coat 
and  a pair  of  blue  trowfers  ; he  was  a young  man  ex- 
tremely well  made,  but  had  loll  his  nofe.  This  might 
accidentally  have  been  torn  off  by  a fpear  in  battle,  or  it 
might  have  been  the  effe£t  of  a fcrophulous  habit,  which 
Mr.  Sharp  the  furgeon  found  afterwards  prevailed  much 
among  the  natives. 

Before  noon  the  two  boats  were  fent  off  to  the  wreck, 
but  the  bad  weatlier  compelled  Mr.  Barker  to  come  back 
with  the  jolly-boat.  The  pinnace  returned  before  even- 
ing, with  fome  iron,  one  bag  of  rice,  and  fundry  other 
llores ; our  people  brought  intelligence  that  they  found 
upwards  of  twenty  canoes  bulled  about  the  veffel,  and 
that  fome  of  the  natives  had  been  very  angry  at  having 
feme  iron  and  a cutlafs,  which  they  had  got  out  of  her, 
taken  from  them.  Raa  Kook  immediately  fent  his  bro- 
ther and  nephew  off  in  a canoe,  who  returned  at  night 
with  the  information  that  they  had  been  totally  driven 
away ; fo  affured  were  our  people  now  of  Raa  Kook's 
friendflilp  and  proteclion,  though  but  three  days  ac- 
quainted with  him,  that  even  when  feparated  from  the 
reft,  and  on  the  reef  at  the  wreck,  they  ventured  to 

difpute 


THE  PELEW  ISLAN.DS.  35 
tlifpute  with  the  natives,  and  obliged  them  to  give  up 
what  they  had  taken. 

Finding  the  numbers  of  natives  who  vifited  them  at 
their  illand  increafe,  and  having  dried  their  powder  and 
repaired  their  fire-arms,  our  people  thought  their  fafety 
required  that  they  fnould  appoint  a regular  guard  every 
night,  to  be  relieved  every  two  hours.  'Fhe  (hip’s  com- 
pany was  divided  into  five  guards,  each  guard  having 
an  officer  to  give  the  watch-word,  which  was  caUed  and 
anfwered  from  the  different  pofts  every  five  minutes, 
there  being  nine  men  always  upon  guard. — This  arrange- 
ment being  to  take  place  for  tlie  firft  time  on  the  even- 
ing of  this  day.  Captain  IVilfon  judged  it  advifable  that 
his  gueils  Ihould  be  apprized  of  his  intention,  left  the 
turning  out  fuddenly  with  arms  might  awaken  ferious 
apprehenfions  in  them. 

The  hour  of  eight  having  been  appointed  for  fetting 
the  guard,  the  Captain  previoufly  communicated  to  them 
the  refolution  they  had  formed,  explaining  at  the  fame 
time  that  it  was  cuftomary  for  tire  Engtjh  to  have  a 
night-watch  whenever  they  were  from  home  ; and  that 
liere  it  might  be  particularly  ufeful,  as  it  would  prevent 
the  inhabitants  of  the  oilier  iflands  from  coming  by  night 
to  attack  them.  This  being  explained.  Captain  Wilfon 
invited  them,  before  fupper,  to  fee  the  guard  turn  out ; 
they  feemed  highly  delighted  to  obferve  our  men  go 
through  their  exercife  before  they  parted  for  their  re- 
fpeftive  pofts,  each  man  having  a muffiet  and  cartouch- 
box,  &c.  and  indeed  all  the  men  on  board  the  Antelopey 
from  the  time  that  the  veffel  quitted  Ew^hmd,  were  fo 
conftantly  kept  in  the  exercife  of  fmall  arms,  that  they 
were  fufficiently  expert  to  have  made  a refpeftahle  ap*. 
pearance  ; and  on  the  people  before  whom  they  now 
(hewed  themfclves,  their  lldll  and  readinefs  muff  have 
made  a formidable  impreffion.  The  novelty  of  the  fight 
had  forcibly  worked  on  the  imaginations  of  their  new 
triends. — Arra  Kooler  having  lent  a molt  fteady  atten- 
tion to  the  explanation  that  had  been  given  of  tlie  ufc 
of  thefc  military  weapons  (about  which  he  had  probably 
been  talking  with  his  brother  the  General)  feemed  as 


34  ANACCOUNTOF 

if  fom^fudden  thought  had  at  the  moment  ftarted  in  hi9 
mindjj^iling  out  eagerly  to  Raa  Kook,  in  thefe  words, 
Englees  rivora  (or  go)  ylrtingall,  PeVle,  Ltrjj,  pointing  to 
the  northward  and  fouthward ; then  cried  Poo,  imitat- 
ing the  found  which  our  guns  had  been  reprefcnted  to 
him  to  make  when  fired.  They  returned  to  the  tents 
where  they  were  to  fieep,  and  appeared  to  be  quite  at 
eafe  and  contented. — They  kept  convei-fing  together  a 
great  part  of  the  night ; and  the  bufmefs  of  this  even- 
ing proved  a very  favorable  circumftance,  as  from  that 
time  they  feemed  to  confider  the  Engll/h  as  poflefling 
fuch  power  and  abilities  as  they  could  have  no  concepti- 
on of  before. 

Sentiments  nearly  fimilar  have  imprefied  the  minds  of 
all  people  who  live  fccluded  from  an  acquaintance  with 
mankind,  whenever  accident  or  curiofity  has  carried  the 
inhabitants  of  remote  parts  of  the  globe  to  vifit  their 
unfrequented  regions.  But  the  natives  of  Pehiv,  who, 
as  far  as  one  is  authorized  to  judge,  not  conceiving  the 
globe  as  extending  beyond  the  horizon  that  bounded 
then),  had  none  but  the  idc;;,;  of  nature  to  guide  them  ; 
they  had  feen  no  other  people  to  difturb  their  fimplicity, 
whatever  they  were  (hewn  they  confidered  and  examined 
as  uleful ; they  looked  up  with  admiration  to  the  people 
who  could  with  fo  little  trouble  produce  effedls,  which 
they  had  never  difeovered  ; and  to  their  admiration  they 
added  a reverential  efteem,  as  poflefling  talents  they  ne- 
ver could  attain  themfelves.;  of  which  we  lhall,  in  the 
courfe  of  this  narrative,  give  fome  extraordinary  proofs. 

^rra  Kool-r  could  by  no  means  relilh  the  wearing  of 
trowfers,  but  he  had  conceived  a paflion  to  have  a white 
fniit,  aud  one  was  immediately  given  him,  which  he  had 
no  foone'  put  on  -than  he  began  to  dance  and  jump 
about  witir  fo  much  joy,  that  all  were  diverted  by  his 
ridiculous  geftures,  and  the  contrail  which  the  Hnen  form- 
ed with  his  fldn.  This  Prince  appeared  to  be  verging  to- 
wards forty  ; he  was  in  ftature  ihort,  but  fo  plump  and 
fat  that  he  was  almoll  as  broad  as  he  was  long ; he  poC* 
fefled  an  abundant  (hare  of  good-humor,  and  a wonder- 
ful turn  for  mimicry  ; and  had  befides,  a countenance  fij 


the  P E L E W islands.  35 

lively  and  fo  expreflive,  that  though  our  people  were 
llrangers  at  this  time  to  ahneft  all  he  laid,  yet  his  face 
and  gelluies  made  them  pretty  accurately  comprehend 
whatever  he  was  dcfcribing.  In  order  to  amufc  them, 
he  would  frequently  try  to  take  off  ever^’’  one  of  our  peo- 
ple in  any  particularity  he  had  noticed,  and  this  with 
fuch  greait  good-humor,  that  evei^  one  who  faw  him  was 
pleafed  with  his  pleafantry.  Sometimes  he  would  take 
up  a hat,  put  it  on  his  head,  and  imitate  the  man- 
ner of  our  people  walking  in  their  militaiy  exercife ; 
would  recolleft  every  occurrence  that  happened,  and  no- 
thing that  he  obferved  done  by  the  Englijh  efcaped  him; 
in  Ihort,  on  every  occafioq  his  manner  was  lively  and  en- 
gaging  tQ  a degree.  From  the  firft  time  of  his  having  leen 
the  great  Kevi^oundland dog,  as  before  mentioned,  he  felt 
delight  in  going  to  him  frequently,  and  in  carrying  him 
vicluals  ; and  by  noticing  him  fo  much,  the  dog  natu- 
rally exprelTed  great  joy  whenever  he  went  to  him. 
When  he  was  brought  on  board  the  jintelope,  in  Eng- 
land, the  dog  was  named  Sailor,  and  now,  familiarized 
to  ^rra  Kooker,  would,  whfenever  he  appeared,  bark, 
jump,  leap,  and  play  his  tricks ; and  his  new  acquaint- 
ance, when  he  wilhed  to  be  amufmg,  would  imitate 
wonderfully  well  the  barking,  howling,  jumping,  and  all 
the  various  demonftrations  of  joy  of  this  poor  animal. 

The  Engti/h,  as  far  as  they  collecfled  from  Mr.  M, 
Wdfon’s  account,  and  from  the  urbanity  and  attention 
fhewn  them  by  the  two  dignified  Chiefs,  who  had  now 
been  their  guells  for  fome  days.  In  happier  moments, 
with  the  certainty  before  them  of  getting  away  whene- 
ver they  pleafed,  would  have  enjoyed  the  fociety  of  their 
new  friends;  but  the  doubt  of  what  they  might  further 
get  from  the  fhip  to  aid  the  building  of  another,  and 
the  uncertainty  whether  they  might  ever  fee  again  their 
country  and  families,  conllantly  preffed  on  their  minds 
fuch  a weight  of  anxiety,  that  the  refleftions  of  fenfi- 
bility  were  often  wringing  their  hearts,  when  the  forti- 
tude their  prudence  affumed,  and  the  attention  due  to 
their  hofpitable  protedlors,  compelled  them  to  fubdue 
their  natural  feelings,  and  nialli  their  countenances  with 
acquiefeent  fmiles. 


chapter 


36  ANACCOUNTOF 

CHAPTER  VI. 


7he  King  of  pays  his  jirjl  vifit  to  the  EngUfli. — His 

Arrival  defcribed,  and  the  Ceremony  tuith  aohich  he  is  re- 
ceived; after  'which  he  is  conduEted  by  his  two  Brothers 
and  Captain  Wilfon  round  the  Spot  'whereon  they  had 
ereSed  their  temporary  Habitation,  and  Jhe<wn  'whatever 
might  engage  his  Curufity. — After  fevtral  Hours’  Stay  he 
departs,  pleafed  'with  his  Reception,  and  takes  bis  Rcliuus 
• avith  him  to  the  back  Part  of  the  Jfland. 

Aug.  A T day-break  the  King’s  fon,  accompanied  by 
ij.  xX  one  of  his  uncles,  launched  their  canoe  and 
■went  off  to  the  Ihip  ; Mr.  Barker  alfo  got  off  with  the 
jolly-boat ; the  pinnace  wanting  fome  little  repairs, 
could  not  be  fent  till  about  an  hour  after ; they  both 
returned  about  noon,  btlnging  with  them  fome  rice  and 
other  ftores,  and  were  going  to  make  a fecond  trip,  but 
put  back  on  feeing  a number  of  canoes  approaching  the 
harbour,  and  our  people  were  informed  that  the  King 
was  coming. — Soon  after  feveral  canoes  appeared  round 
the  point  at  the  entrance  of  the  harbour,  and  then  lay 
to  ; the  King’s  canoe  having  flopped  whilfl  he  was  giv- 
ing orders  to  another  fquadron  of  canoes  (that  were 
armed,  and  formed  his  rear)  to  detach  themfelves  to 
the  back  of  the  ifland. — The  King’s  canoe  then  came 
forward  between  four  others,  two  on  each  fide  of  it,  the 
rowers  of  which  fplafhed  the  water  about  with  their  pad- 
dles, and  flourilhed  them  over  their  heads  in  a very  dex- 
terous manner ; and  as  the  King  paffed,  the  firfl  canoes 
that  had  lain  to  clofed  his  train,  and  followed  him  into 
the  cove,  founding  their  conch  fhells.  When  they  had 
come  in  as  far  as  the  tide  would  permit,  it  was  fignified 
to  Captain  Wilfon  that  he  Ihoidd  go  out  and  meet  the 
King ; on  which  two  of  his  own  men  took  him  up  in 
their  arms  and  carried  him  through  the  flmliow  water 

to 


I 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  37 

to  the  canoe,  where  the  King  was  fitting  on  a ftagc 
built  in  the  middle  of  it.  He  defircd  Captain  JVilfon  to 
come  into  the  canoe,  which  he  did,  and  embraced  him, 
informing  him,  through  the  interprctci’s,  that  he  and  his 
friends  were  Engljhnun,  who  had  unfortunately  loll  their 
Ihip,  but  having  faved  their  lives  by  landing  on  his  ter- 
ritory, fupplicated  his  permiflion  to  build  a veflcl  to 
convey  them  back  to  their  own  country. 

After  a little  paufe,  and  fpeaking  with  a Chief  in  a 
canoe  next  to  him  (who  we  after  learnt  was  the  Chief 
Minijler)  he  replied,  in  the  moil  courteous  manner,  that 
he  was  welcome  to  build,  either  at  the  place  where  he 
then  wasj  or  at  his  own  ifland  ; told  Captain  J-Vilfony 
that  the  iiland  he  was  then  on  was  thought  to  be  un- 
healthy ; that  he  feared  his  people  might  be  fickly  if 
they  Hayed  on  it  before  another  wind  fet  in,  which  he 
faid  would  be  in  two  moons ; and  that  he  might  poilibly 
be  moleftcd  by  the  inhabitants  of  fome  of  the  neigh- 
bouring iflands,  •who  were  at  that  time  at  war  with 
him. 

Captain  JVilfon  exprefled  his  acknowledgments  for 
the  condefcenfion,  the  care,  and  goodnefs  which  the 
King  had  teftified  toward  him  and  his  people  ; inform- 
ing him  at  the  fame  time,  that  as  the  ifland  he  was  then 
on  was  far  nearer  to  the  wreck,  from  whence  he  had  al- 
ready got  fome  ftores  on  fliore,  and  hoped  Hill  to  get 
more,  it  would  take  much  more  time  fliould  he  remove 
them  farther ; therefore  he  would,  with  his  permiflion, 
prefer  remaining  where  he  was,  as  his  people  could  fear 
no  enemies  whilll  they  enjoyed  his  proteftidn  and  frlend- 
fliip : — that  he  had  a perfon  with  him  very  fleilful  in 
curing  ficknefs,  w'hich  made  him  very  eafy ’on  that  ac- 
count ; but  in  cafe  any  of  his  people,  durinj^eir  flay 
there,  fliould  happen  to  fall  ill,  he  would  then  avail 
himfelf  of  hie  goodnefs,  and  convey  them  for  recovery 
to  the  better  air  of  his  own  ifland.  With  this  anfw’er 
the  King  feemed  to  be  pleafed  and  fatisfied.  Captain 
IVilfon  then  made  him  a prefent  of  a fcarlet  coat ; and, 
after  fome  difeourfe,  he  made  figns  to  go  on  fliore ; the 
D _ men 


j3  ANACCOUNTOF 

r.'.en  ag:iin  took  the  Captain  up,  as  before,  whilil  the 
King  Hepped  into  the  water,  and  waded  to  land. 

The  Ki  ng  %vas  perfeftly  naked,  nor  had  he  any  bone 
on -his  wrift,  or  any  ornament  of  diftinftion.  He  bore 
a hatchet  on  his  fhoulder,  the  head  of  which  was  made 
of  iron,  a circumftance  which  much  fui-prifed  our  peo- 
ple, as  all  the  other  hatchets  they  had  feen  were  of 
Hiell ; the  handle  being  formed  in  a lharp  angle,  ftuck 
clofe  to  the  fhoulder,  lying  before  and  behind,  and  want- 
ed no  tying  to  keep  it  fteady  in  walking.  The  King, 
on  landing,  looked  about  with  the  fame  kind  of  caution 
as  his  brothers,  and  thofe  who  came  with  them,  had 
before  done,  on  their  fidt  vifit.  Raa  Kook  met  him  on 
the  fhore,  and,  as  he  declined  going  into  the  tents,  the 
Englifh  fpread  a fail  for  him  to  fit  on,  which  he  did,  and 
clearly  took  and  underftood  it  as  a mark  of  refpeft  j 
the  Chitf  Mirtijler  placing  himfelf  oppofite  to  him,  at 
the  extremity  of  the  canvafs,  whilft  his  two  brothers, 
Raa  Kook  and  Krra  Kooler,  fat  on  eacli  fide,  at  the  ex- 
tent alfo  of  the  fail,  forming,  when  thus  arranged,  a 
iquare.  The  principal  chiefs  and  officers  of  ftate  who 
acCompauit'd  him,  feated  themfelves  near  ; and  behind 
thefe  chiefs  the  large  retinue  of  his  own  people,  which 
filled  his  train,  being  about  three  hundred,  formed  a 
circle,  not  ftanding  but  fquatting,  in  a pofition  ready  to 
rife  up  in  an  inftant. — Some  tea  was  made  and  offered 
him  ; he  drank  one  cup,  but  did  not  feem  to  relifli  it. 
After  fitting  a little  while,  he  was  prefented  with  a rem- 
nant of  fcarlet  cloth,  and  half  a piece  of  long-cloth ; 
and  alfo  had  fome  ribands  of  different  colors  given  to 
iiim,  to  dillribute  among  his  attendants ; which  he  did 
immediately,  and  they,  on  receiving  them,  rolled  them 
up  very  handily,  for  they  had  all  been  unrolled  before 
to  dry.  During  the  time  that  they  were  rolling  up  the 
libands,  our  people  obferved,  by  the  geftures  and  looks 
of  the  natives,  that  each  Chief  fixed  his  attention  upon 
fome  particular  perfon  ; this  at  the  time  alarmed  them, 
apprehending  that  the  individual  each  Chief  had  particu- 
larly noticed,  was  fingled  out  as  his  devoted  prifoner  ; 
buL  they  foon  afterwards  fouad  the  meaning  to  be  quite 

contrary, 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  ?9 

contrary,  and  that  the  individual  fo  fdcfted  was  to  be 
that  Chief’s  particular  friend  or  guefl. — ^Captain  Wilfo’i 
then  Introduced  his  Chief  Mate  to  the  King,  as  the  full 
officer  under  him,  whom  Abhci  Thulle  filled  the  * Kickn- 
ray  Rupach,  conceiving  at  that  time  that  Captain  IVhfon 
was  himfclf  a prince  of  feme  country ; but  being  af- 
terwards informed  by  the  Malay,  that  he  ierved  under 
a far  greater  power  at  home,  and  was  no  fovereign,  but 
a Captain,  he  felzed  the  dilllndlion  inllantly,  and  ever  af- 
ter addrefftd  him  by  the  appellation  of  Captain,  and  liis 
Chief  Mate,  by  that  of  Kickaray  Captain,  as  fecond  r.i 
command.  The  reft  of  the  officers  were  next  introduced, 
and  Mr.  Marp,  the  furgeon,  was  pointed  out  as  the  gen- 
tleman of  whom  he  had  fpoken  when  in  the  King’s  ca- 
noe, who  cured  the  difeafes  which  any  of  his  people  were 
afflifted  with,  at  which  the  King  feemed  wonderfully 
furprifed,  and  kept  his  eyes  fixed  on  him.  Laflly,  all 
the  private  men  were  introduced  In  their  turns,  alfo. 
After  prefenting  the  officers,  &c.  the  King  inquired  for 
the  mark  of  Captain  IVHfon's  rank  or  dignity  a;;  Ciiie;, 
who  was  at  a lofs  how  to  anfwer  ; but  recct-edlng  Usr.t  a 
ring  was  an  ornamental  mark  of  dlftmcrion,  told,  him  I-,', 
and  Mr.  Benger,  the  Firft  Mate,  having  faved  his,  gave  it 
to  Captain  IVilfon,  who  put  it  on  ; they  appeared  pleafid 
with  t’ne  Idea  that  it  was  a kind  of  ornament  whie'i  had 
a fimilarity  of  meaning  to  their  own. 

During  the  time  that  this  bufinefs  was  tranfafling, 
Raa  Kook  was  converling  with  the  King  upon  every 
thing  he  had  feen  and  obferved  during  his  ftay  with  cur 
people  ; this  his  countenance  and  geflures  fully  demcn- 
llrated,  and  they  plainly  noticed  his  defeription  of  their 
fire-arms,  and  exercife,  which  the  King  feemed  eagerly 
to  attend  to,  and  then  expreft’ed  a wifh  to  fee  them  him- 
felf-,  whieh  Captain  IVilfon  fuid  fliould  be  dune  Immedi- 
ately. 

He  ordered  ever\-  man  to  be  under  arms,  and  drawn 
up  on  the  beach  (the  tide  then  being  low)  before  the 
King,  who  was  placed  with  all  his  retinue  juft  above  tlie 
flow  of  the  water,  and  that  they  fliould  be  exercil'ed  by 

the 

* Kidjray  mcsns  liul:. — Ssi  the  annexed  Vorahular)-. 


40  ANACCOUNTOF 

the  Chief  Mate,  that  he  might  not  abfent  himfelf  from 
the  King ; they,  without  lofs  of  time,  prepared  them- 
felves,  marched  on  the  (hore  in  the  King’s  prefence,  and 
fired  three  vollies  in  different  pofitions. — The  furprife  of 
the  natives,  their  hooting,  hallooing,  jumping,  and  chat- 
tering, produced  a noife  almoft  equal  to  the  report  of 
the  mullcets.  Though  this  exhibition  was  made  at  fome 
expenfe  of  their  powder,  yet  our  people  having  fortu- 
nately faved  all  they  had  on  board,  it  was  Judged  pru- 
dent on  this  oecafion  to  let  the  natives  witnefs  fome  dif- 
play  of  the  effeft  of  their  arms,  that  they  might  be  im- 
preffed  at  the  firft  fight  of  them  with  an  enlarged  idea 
of  the  power  and  ftrength  of  the  Englijb;  and  the  more 
fo  as  they  had  perceived,  the  preceding  night,  how  much 
higher  they  had  rifen  in  the  eftiraation  of  the  King’s 
brothers,  by  the  mere  exliibltion  of  their  niulketry, 
and  giving  an  explanation  of  their  ufe. 

After  this,  one  of  the  fowls  that  had  been  faved  among 
the  little  live  flock  from  the  Antelope,  was  purpofely  dri- 
ven acrcfs  the  cove,  where  Mr.  Benger  was  prepared 
with  a fowling-piece,  loaded  with  fliot,  which  he  fired  at 
the  I'i.d,  to  let  the  King  fee  the  efle6f  of  their  muikets; 
the  bird  inftantly  dropped,  having  its  wing  and  leg  bro- 
J.en  ; fome  of  the  natives  ran  to  it,  took  it  up,  and  ear- 
ned it  to  the  King,  who  examined  it  with  great  atten- 
tion, unable  to  comprehend  how  it  could  be  wounded, 
not  liaving  feen  any  tiling  pafs  out  of  the  gun.  This 
created  a vafl  murmur  and  furprife  amongft  them. 

Raa  Kook  expreffld  much  impatience  to  ll.cw  the 
King  wliatever  had  impreffed  I’.is  own  mind,  and  taking 
Lis  brother  by  the  liand,  kd  him  to  a grir.d-flone,  which 
was  placed  behind  one  of  tlic  tents,  and  fixed  on  a block, 
lie  pat  it  in  motion,  which  (Laving  been  fhewn  the  me- 
tlicdj  he  had  frequently  done  before  ; the  King  remained 
fixed  in  afloniffiment  at  the  rapidity  of  its  motion,  and 
at  the  explanation  of  the  General,  that  jt  would  imme- 
diately fiiarptn  and  poliflr  iron.  Captain  Wilfon  ordered 
a hatchet  to  be  brought,  and  ground,  that  they  m.ght 
move  readily  perceive  its  operation.  Ran  Kook  eagerly 
laid  hold  of  the  handle  of  the  flone,  and  began  turning 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  41 

itj  eippc^irinp^  liiglily  dcli^litccl  liirnfclf  to  let  liis  oiotHcr 
fee  how  well  ho  undcrllood  It ; he  having  the  preceding 
day  anrnfed  lunifeif  for  foine  hours  with  this  noveit^^ 
and  had  fliarpened  feveral  pieces  of  iron,  which  he  had 
picked  up  about  the  tents.  The  circura dances  which 
mod  in  this  fight  bewildered  all  their  ideas,  were,  how 
the  fparks  of  fire  could  come,  and  how  a Hone,  fo  well 
wetted,  became  fo  focn  dry. 

The  King  then  vifited  the  different  tents,  and  in- 
quired about  every  thing  he  faw  ; all  veas  novelty,  and  of 
couide  intcrefted  his  attention.  When  he  got  to  the  tent 
where  the  Chinefe  men  were,  Raa  Kooh,  whofe  retentive 
mind  never  loft  a fingle  trace  of  any  thing  he  had  been 
informed  of  during  his  ftay  among  them,  acquainted  tlic 
King,  that  thefe  were  a people  quite  different  from  t'le 
Engiyjj,  and  that  they  were  China-men,  a word  he  liad 
readily  caught. — He  begged  one  of  them  v.-oukl  allow 
the  King  to  examine  his  head,  noticing  the  long,  fin- 
gle-bralded  lock  of  hair  hanging  almoft  down  to  the 
calves  of  tlreir  legs. 

The  King  gave  great  attention  to  all  that  the  Gene- 
ral faid,  and  feemed  to  be,  making  many  inquiries  of 
him  ; by  Raa  Kook’s  geftiires  it  was  evident  ttiat  he 
was  conveying  to  his  brother  an  Idea  that  there  were 
many  different  nations  in  different  parts  of  the  world, 
foine  of  which  were  called  French,  with  whom  the  Kng- 
lijh  themfelves  were  then  at  war  (this  ojir  people,  In 
their  many  hours  of  converfatlon,  had  tcld  the  Gene- 
ral of.)  He  alfo  informed  him  that  the  China-men  were 
a different  kind  of  men  to  the  Fngli/h,  an  idea  which 
he  had  himfelf  conceived,  from  obferving  that  tii6  nigiit 
before,  when  the  Enghjh  turned  out  their  nigiit-v.atc.h 
for  the  firft  time,  the  Chinefe  had  no  muficcts,  but  o..iy 
boarding-pikes,  and  having  inquired  the  caufe,  was  told 
that  they  w'-ere-not  ufed  to  fight  with  guns  as.  the 
lf.3  were,  which  induced  him  to  hold  them  cheap. 

VHieu  t!;e  King  heard  his  brother  difeouriing  about 
a variety  of  na’tions  difperfed  through  the  world,'  who 
all  fp  ke  differently,  and  had  before  l;im  an  example 
in  the  Chlnfe,  who  did  not  fneak  in  the  fame  tongue  as 


42  ANACCOUNTOF 

tlie  Etiilipj,  he  appeared  Inflantly  thoughtful  and  feii- 
ous,  as  it  itruck  with  conceptions  that  had  never  eroded 
his  mind  before.  He  remained  awhile  penfive  y.nd  be- 
wildered ; and  this  circumftance  imprefl'ed  on  every  one, 
at  the  time,  an  idea,  which  will  poiTibly  now  as  forci- 
bly iinprefs  the  reader,  that  there  was  every  caufe  to 
fuppole  there  bad  never  been  a communication  between 
thefe  people  and  any  other  nation  ; that  they  and  their 
anceftry,  throwgh  a line  of  ages  too  remote  for  human 
conjedfure  to  fix  a date,  might  have  lived  as  fovereigns 
of  the  world,  unconfclous  tliat  it  extended  beyond  the 
horizon  that  bounded  them  ; unconfclous  alfo  that  there 
were  any  more  inhabitants  in  it  than  themfelves  ; and  in  i 
this  cafe,  what  might  net  be  the  fentiments  that  might 
buill  on  a mind  thus  fuddenly  awakened  to  a new  and  ^ 
a more  enlarged  notion  of  nature  and  mankind  ! * 

As  the  King  was  going  toward  our  tents,  of  which  \ 
tl’.ere  were  three,  with  a fcti.^ry  Rationed  at  each,  the  day 
being  fine,  and  the  fun  in  full  power,  he  noticed  the 
bright  glitter  of  ijie  bayonet  ; it  of  courfe  aflonillied 
him,  who  had  never  feen  any  polilhed  body,  or  the  afti- 
on  of  light  on  it.  He  flepped  haftily  to  the  fentinel 
and  wifned  to  feel  it,  offering  to  take  it  out  of  the  man’s 
hand,  who  thereupon  drew  back ; Captain  WilJ'on  then 
explained  to  him,  that  no  Bnghjb  fentinel  would,  or  dar- 
ed fuffer  any  one  to  touch  his  arms. — Upon  this  the 
King  feemed  fat’sfied,  and  went  on  to  view  other  things 
in  and  about  the  cove.  Ran  Kook  would  now  lliew  his 
brother  the  kitchen  which  was  in  the  hollow  of  a rock,  , 
a little  above  the  cove.  It  was  the  time  when  the  cook 
was  preparing  dinner ; the  implements  which  furnifhed 
the  kitchen  were  fcanty  Indeed,  and  could  in  no  other 
place  but  this  have  attradled  any  one’s  attention  ; but 
here  an  iron  j>ot,  a tea-kettle,  a tin  fauce-pan,  with  a 
poker,  a pair  of  tongs,  and  frying-pan,  became,  from 

their 

• It  is  not  improbable  but  that,  from  feeing  tlie  fume 

notion  of  this  kind  might  have  been  awakened  before ; but  now, 
having  -before  lam  a people  of  a dij^trent  ccUr,  and  h eari."g  of  a 
variety  of  nations  who  were  of  the Rme  complexion,  the  imprefli- 
«u  would  liitunliy  operate  ca  Lis  miiid  widi  redoubled  llrergtli. 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  43 

tlieir  peculiar  fituation  of  fufH>ient  confequcncc  to  excite 
admiration  ; nor  were  the  bellows  now  forgotten  by  the 
General  (of  which  fome  mention  has  before  been  made) 
who  taking  them  up,  as  he  explained  their  ufe  to  the 
King,  feeined  ambitious  to  let  his  brother  fee  what  an 
adept  he  was,  and  began  to  blow  the  fire.  The  bald 
cook,  who  was  always  clofe  fhaved,  and  never  wore  any 
thing  on  his  head,  and  was  befide,  a little,  meagre  fellow, 
was  alfo  pointed  out  by  him  for  the  King’s  notice  ; for 
the  General’s  vein  of  humor,  as  well  as  his  wifii  of  in- 
formation, made  him  attentive  even  to  the  moll  trivial 
circumllances. 

He  was  alfo  taken  to  fee  the  two  dogs,  which  he  was 
ftruck  and  delighted  with  in  full  as  great  a degree  as 
his  brother  Arra  Koohr  had  been  before.  But  thefe  ani- 
mals, wltofe  novelty  equally  imprelfed  all  the  natives,  ex- 
cited them  to  take  fo  much  pleafure  in  making  them 
bark,  that  our  people  were  alter  lome  time  compelled  to 
confine  them  out  of  fight. 

Near  to  the  kitchen  was  another  hollow  rock,  where 
were  fufpended  the  hams  which  had  been  faved  from  the 
111  ip,  under  which  fires  had  been  made,  in  order  to  fmoke- 
dry  them  for  future  fea-llore.  Raa  Kook  was  now  fo  fa- 
miliarized to  our  people’s  methods,  that  he  Informed  the 
King  this  was  fome  of  their  provifion  ; he  wilhed  that 
one  of  them  lliould  be  offered  his  brother,  which  avas 
immediately  prefented,  and  accepted,  as  was  alfo  a live 
goofe  ; four  or  five  (the  remains  of  the  live  flock)  jufl 
at  that  moment  waddling  in  fight. 

The  King  being  now  returned  to  his  former  feat, 
informed  Captain  IVilfon  that  he  intended  to  go  and 
fleep  at  the  back  of  the  ifland ; and  prefently  a loud 
fiiriek  was  given  by  one  of  the  King’s  officers,  who 
wore  a thin,  narrow  bone  on  his  wrill,  which  was  after- 
w'ards  known  to  be  an  Order  much  inferior  to  what  we 
have  fpoken  of  before.  This,  at  the  moment  it  was 
heard,  threw  our  people  into  fome  alarm,  but  the  caufe 
of  it  was  immediately  evident,  for  all  the  King’s  attend-, 
ants,  who  it  was  conceived  amounted  at  lead  to  three 
hundred,  though  all  differently  difperfed,  and  engaged 

in' 


4+  ANACCOUNTO^ 

in  looking-  about  at  every  thing  that  attrafted  them,  aS 
if  inftantaneoufly  moved  by  the  Ihriek,  might  be  faid  to 
have  rather  darted  than  to  have  ran  to  their  canoes.  It 
was  a fignal  obeyed  more  fuddenly  than  could  have  been 
conceived,  and  no  word  of  command  was  ever  executed 
with  more  promptitude.  The  King  departed,  in  appear- 
ance well  pleafed  with  his  vifit,  and  fatisfied  with  what 
he  had  feen. 

It  hath  been  faid,  in  the  beginning  of  this  chapter, 
that  the  canoes  which  preceded  the  King,  were  Hopped 
a little  before  enteiing  the  cove,  by  his  giving  orders 
to  the  fquadron  of  thofe  which  were  armed  to  detach 
themfelves,  and  go  to  the  back  of  the  ifland  ; part  of 
this  manoeuvre  was  vifible  from  the  Ihore,  and  the  reft 
was  obtained  by  intelligence  from  fome  of  our  people 
who  had  been  fent  over  land  to  the  watering-place,  which 
hiy  at  the  back  of  the  ifland,  and  who  happened  to  be 
on  the  fpot  when  the  armed  canoes  arrived,  which  fo 
alarmed  them,  that  they  came  v/ith  all  poffible  fpced  to 
give  infoi  mation  of  it.  But  the  King  being  then  with 
the  Englt/h,  they  were  perfectly  eafy,  knowing  that  thefe 
canoes  mull  be  part  of  his  retinue.  The  King  being 
then  at  W'ar,  would  not  choofe,  in  vifiting  our  people, 
to  expofe  himlelf  to  any  infult  from  his  enemies,  the 
palfage  from  PelfM  to  this  ifland  being  about  feven 
leagues  ; and  coming  w'ith  all  the  fentlments  of  friend- 
fhip,  he-  judged  it  indelicate  to  alarm  thofe  who  had 
fought  his  proteftion,  by  the  formidable  appearance  of 
’ fuch  numbers  as  accompanied  him. 

The  King’s  fon  and  Raa  Kook  flayed  w'ith  the  Englj/h, 
having  canoes  and  about  twenty  people  remaining  with 
them ; they  llept  in  twm  tents  by  themfelves,  our  people 
ij'lng  in  the  tent  -where  their  arms  and  ftorcs  were,  two 
tents  having  been  erected,  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
King  and  ins  retinue.  One  was  prepared  for  the  King 
before  he  came,  and  the  ether  railed  clofe  to  it,  for  his 
attendants,  after  his  arriral,  when  they  law  the  number 
of  them.  In  the  tent  intended  for  the  King,  was  Raa 
Kook,  the  King’s  fon,  and  feveral  Chiefs  ; Captain  JVil- 
Jon  remained  with  them  after  the  guard  was  fet,  and  fen- 

tiaels 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  4J 

tinels  placed,  to  Ihew  them  refpedi,  as  well  as  to  teftify 
the  confidence  he  placed  in  them.  Soon  after  which  the 
following  circumftance  happened,  which  occafioned  much 
alarm. 

After  the  guard  was  fet,  and  the  fentinels  placed,  our 
people  were  going  to  reft,  v/hen,  on  a fudden  the  na- 
tives began  a fong,  the  ftirillnefs  and  manner  of  whidi 
made  them  think  it  was  their  war-whoop,  or  the  fignal 
for  the  King  and  his  party  fix>m  the  back  of  the  ifland 
to  come  upon  them  ; the  Englijh  inftantly  took  to  their 
arms,  and  Meflrs.  Barker  and  Sharp  ran  to  the  tent 
where  Captain  Wllfon  was,  to  fee  if  he  was  fafe ; judg- 
ing, that  if  any  harm  was  intended,  the  natives  would 
fecure  him,  who  was  alone  with  them. — Seeing  him  fafe 
and  quiet,  they  informed  him  of  the  apprehenfions  of 
our  people,  wdio  were  all  under  arms ; he  requefted  Mr. 
Barker  to  return  immediately  to  them,  and  defire  them 
to  make  no  fiiew  of  being  alarmed,  but  to  keep  upon 
their  guard  until  they  ftrould'  find  what  the  meaning  of 
this  might  be,  adding,  that  he  would  come  to  them  as 
foon  as  he  could  do  it  without  being  noticed ; he  requeft- 
ed Mr.  Sharp  to  fit  down  by  the  King’s  fon,  and  enter 
into  fome  converfacion  with  him,  by  figns,  whilft  he 
went  himfelt  to  their  tent,  where  he  found  the  people 
under  arms  ; after  a little  deliberation  on  w'hat  this  noife 
might  mean,  it  was  thought  beft  to  difeover  no  appear- 
ance of  uneafinefs,  but  to  remain  quiet  in  the  tent,  with 
arms  ready  by  them,  and  that  he  would  return  to  the  na- 
tives, and  wa.t  the  event ; when  he  was  foon  delivered 
from  every  anxiety,  by  finding  that  they  were  only  tun- 
ing their  voices,  in  order  to  begin  a fong  ; which  as  foon 
as  they  had  in  their  manner  properly  pitched,  Raa  Kook 
gave  out  a line,  or  ftave,  which  v\'as  taken  up  by  ano- 
ther Rupack,  feated  at  a little  diftance,  who  fang  a verfe, 
acconapanied  by  the  reft  of  the  natives  prefent,  except 
himfcit  anu  the  Prince.  The  laft  line  they  fung  twice 
o\cr,  wnich  was  taken  up  by  the  natives  in  the  next 
tent,  iu  chorus ; Raa  Kook  then  gave  out  another  line, 
w h:cli  was  fung  in  the  fame  manner  ; and  this  continu- 
ed for  ton  or  twelve  verfes.  They  talked  at  times  be- 
tween 


^6  ANACCOUNTOP 

tween  the  verfes,  as  if  fetting  fome  of  the  fingers  right 
■who  had  not  been  properly  in  tune.  Their  fong  ended, 
they  requefted  to  liear  fome  Englifh  fongs,  which  was 
readily  complied  with,*  and  feveral  fongs  were  fung  by 
one  of  our  people,  with  which  they  were  exceedingly 
pleafed.  This  put  an  agreeable  end  to  every  apprehen- 
fTon,  as  the  Engiyh  were  now  convinced  their  foie  intent 
■was  to  amufe  them.  The  natives  went  quietly  to  fleep, 
foon  after  this,  but  there  ■ivere  few  of  the  Engl'i/h  able 
to  compofe  themfelves  this  night ; the  alarm  had  awak- 
ened too  many  fufpicious  ideas,  to  aUow  their  miads  to 
be  fpeedily  compofed. 


chapter  VII. 


■/I  Coolnefs  artfes  on  the  Part  of  the  Natives,  <whlch  much  a- 
larms  the  Englifh. — This  cleared  up,- and  Fr'ieudJIdp  rejlor- 
ed. — The  King  requejls  five  : f Captain  Wilfon’s  Men  to 
attend  him  to  a War  he  was  going  to  make  agalnfi  a neigh- 
bouring IJland. — This  is  ajj^nted  to,  and  he  departs  with 
the  Men. — The  Englifh  plan  their  intended  Vejfd,  form  a 
Dock  7'ard,  unanimoujly  choofe  Captain  Wilfon  to  be  their 
Commander,  and  each  engages  in  the  Department  he  is  no- 
minated to,  in  order  to  cfiijl  the  ConJlruElion  of  their  future 
V fffel. — The  firjl  Sunday  after  the  Shipwreck  duly  comme- 
morated. 

Aug.  A S all  our  countrymen’s  future  hopes  depend- 
i6.  Jf\.  ed  on  their  being  able  to  build  a fhip  with 
the  few  tools  that  had  been  faved  from  the  jdntelope,  fo, 
being  in  expeftation  of  the  King’s  arrival,  and  well 
aware  how  much  thefe  implements  might  be  coveted  by 
the  natives,  and  the  difficulties  they  might  be  reduced  to, 

either 

* Our  fonjjs  were  fea  fongs,  and  of  battles ; and  the  King  was 
fo  pleafed  4t  the  account  he  afterwards  heard  of  them,  diat  when- 
ever he  met  the  young  lad  CniittBi  l,  v/lio  fang  them,  he  would 
flo])  Itixn,  and  make  him  f;ng  one  or  two  fongs. 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  47 

eith’er  to  dc-prive  themfclves  of  the  ufe  of  them,  or  rilk 
the  dirpkufure  of  th(jr  new  friends,  by  refufing  their 
folicitatioiis,  it  was  thought  expedient  to  fecrcte  them 
from  the  public  view ; a convenient  place  was  found  in 
a rock,  and  the  tools  concealed  ; and  it  was  happily  ef- 
feded  before  the  King  arrived,  by  which  our  people 
were  relieved  from  thofe  difficulties  they  would  otherwile 
have  b:en  under. 

The  morning  being  fine  and  calm,  our  people  launch- 
ed their  boats,  in  order  to  go  off  to  the  ffiip,  but  miffed 
the  jolly-boat’s  rudder,  which  had  been  ffolen  for  the 
fake  of  the  iron.  Thofe  on  ffiore  were  employed  in  get- 
ting ready  the  blocks  and  ways,  in  order  to  lay  down 
the  intended  veffel.  They  had  already  get  a piece  of 
wood  for  a ftem,  and  another  for  a ftern-poff.  About 
ten  o’clock  the  Chief  Mtnijler  came  over  land,  from  the 
back  of  the  ifland,  which  did  not  exceed  the  diffance 
of  half  a mile  from  the  cove,  and  after  looking  for  fome 
time  at  the  operations  then  beginning,  he  took  Captain 
Wilfon  by  the  hand,  and  led  him  to  the  tent  where  the 
arms  were  kept ; after  viewing  wiffifully  a cutlafs,  he 
alleed  him  for  it.  In  the  particular  fituatiou  in  which 
our  people  ftood.  Captain  IVilfon  thought  a refufal  might 
be  imprudent,  particularly  to  a Chief  of  his  rank,  and 
therefore  judged  it  wifer  to  make  a virtue  of  neceffity. 
But,  on  coming  out  of  the  tent,  Raa  Kook  faw  it  in  his 
hand,  feemed  difpleafed,  and  made  him  return  it. 

The  Malay  fome  time  after  coming  on  ffiore  from  a 
canoe,  faid  there  was  bad  news ; that  he  he  had  heard 
“ that  a cutlafs  had  been  given  to  one  who  was  almolt 
“ a ftranger,  whilll  the  King’s  brothers,  who  had  been 
“ with  the  Englijh  all  the  time  on  the  the  ifland,  had 
“ never  had  any  thing  of  fuch  confequence  given  them, 
“ and  that  they  muff  make  them  fome  prefents.”  On 
this  hint  Captain  Wilfon  offered  each  of  t’ne  King’s  bro- 
thers a remnant  of  cloth,  which  they  both  received  very 
coolly  ; he  prefented  them  afterwards  with  white  long- 
cloth  and  fome  ribands,  but  ftill  not  a fmile  appeared  on 
their  faces  ; by  which  the  Captain  perceived  that  this 
was  not  what  they  lyanted.— The  event  diftreffed  our 

' people 


45  ANACCOUNTOF 

people  much ; they  had  doubts  whether  this  apparent 
coolnefs  might  arife  from  their  having  given  the  cutlafs 
to  the  Chief  Minifler,  or  whether  they  had  been  put  out 
of  humor  at  the  indelicacy  of  this  perfon,  in  having  im- 
prudently laid  the  Engli/h  under  the  ncceflity  of  grati- 
fying him  in  a requeft,  which,  fituated  as  they  were, 
they  muft  have  been  under  difficulties  to  refufe. 

In  the  afternoon  the  Malay  informed  Captain  JVUfon, 
that  the  King  was  come  round  into  the  bay,  being  on 
his  return  to  Peleiv,  and  if  he  wanted  to  take  leave  of 
him  he  muft  go  off  to  his  canoe.  The  Captain  accord- 
ingly went  in  the  jolly-boat,  having  with  him  Tom 
Roje  his  linguift,  and  four  other  men.  The  meeting 
was,  to  his  great  furprife,  very  cool  on  the  King’s  part, 
of  courfe  referved  on  that  of  his  own,  far  unlike,  in- 
iieed,  that  undifguifed  opennefs  which  marked  the  in- 
terview of  the  preceding  day. — And  I doubt  nut  but 
by  this  time  the  reader  will  have  ftiared  a portion  of 
that  concern,  for  his  unfortunate  countrj’-men,  which 
was  awakened  in  their  bofoms  by  this  unexpecled  al- 
teration in  the  behaviour  of  the  natives.  What  vsnll  he 
think  of  the  hearts  of  thefe  yet  unlmiun  inhabitants  of 
Pelew? — He  will  have  already  loaded  them  with  re- 
proach, and  judged,  too  hardly  judged  them  to  be  an 
inconfiftent,  faitUefs  people,  on  whom  no  reliance  could 
be  placed,  vvhom  no  profeflion  could  bind. — His  imagi- 
nation may  have  ftarted  a multitiule  of  conjeAures,  yet 
at  laft  will  probably  fuppofe  any  thing  fooner  than  the 
leal  caufe  which  fpread  this  vilible  dejeftion  over  their 
true  charafter. — Never  perhaps  was  exhibifa;d  a nobler 
ftruggle  of  native  delicacy ; their  hearts  burnt  within 
them  to  afle  a favor,  which  the  generofity  of  their  feel- 
ings would  not  allow  them  to  mention. — The  Englifb 
had  been,  and  Hill  were  in  their  power ; they  had  fought 
their  protedlion  as  unfortunate  ftrangers. — The  natives 
had  already  (hewn  them,  and  ftill  meant  to  fhew  them, 
every  mark  of  hofpitality  which  their  naked,  unproduc- 
tive country  could  afford. — They  conceived  that  what 
they  wilhed  to  allc,  as  it  might  prove  a temporary  incon- 
venience, would  look  ungenerous  j and  that  which  moft 

checked 


THE  PELEW-  ISLANDS.  45 

checked  their  fpeaking  was,  that,  circumftanced  as  the 
Engiyb  were  with  refpeft  to  them,  a reqiieft  would  have 
the  appearance  of  a command ; an  idea  this,  which 
ihocked  their  feniibility.— The  matter  they  labored 
with  was,  in  their  opinions,  of  the  higheft  imaginable 
confeqiience  to  them.  The  King  had  probably  talked 
it  over  with  his  brothers  the  preceding  day,  had  delibe- 
rated on  it  in  the  evening  at  the  back  of  the  illand, 
and  came  to  the  cove  this  day  determined  to  propofe  it, 
blit  when  there,  wanted  refolution  to  make  it  known  ; 
yet  the  objeft  being  fo  important,  he  felt  unwilling  to 
leave  it  in  filence,  and  perhaps  conceived  that  he  could 
better  difclofe  it  from  his  canoe,  than  when  furrotinded 
by  fo  many  Erigli/]}. — After  much  apparent  ftruggle  in 
the  King’s  mind,  the  requeft,  with  great  difficulty,  was 
at  la!l  made,  and  proved  to  be  this : — that  the  King 
being  in  a few  days  going  to  battle  againfl;  an  ifland 
that  had  done  him  an  injuiq’,  he  wifhed  Captain  IVUfon 
w'ould  permit  four  or  five  of  his  men  to  accompany  him 
to  war  with  their  mufkets.  Captain  WUfon  inftantly 
replied,  that  the  Englifb  were  as  his  own  people,  and 
that  the  enemies  of  the  King  were  their  enemies. — The 
interpreter  certainly  verj'  well  tranflated  this  declarati- 
on, for  in  an  inftant  every  countenance,  which  was  be- 
fore overfliadowed,  became  brightened  and  gay.  The 
King  faid  he  (honld  w'ant  the  men  in  five  days,  by  which 
time  his  own  people  would  be  prepared  for  battle,  and 
that  he  would  take  them  down  to  Pchiv  with  him  the 
next  day.  Thus  was  harmony  reftored  between  our  peo- 
ple and  the  natives ; interrupted  only  for  a few  iiours, 
from  no  other  caufe  than  that  extreme  delicacy  of 
fentiment  which  no  one  would  have  expected  to  have 
fomid  in  regions  fo  disjoined  from  the  reil  of  the  world. 

The  converfation  being  at  an  end.  Captain  J'/ilfon 
taking  leave  returned  to  acquaint  the  officers  and  people 
on  fhore  with  wliat  had  paffed  at  this  conference,  w'.iich 
he  hoped  would  meet  with  their  approbation.  All  unit- 
ed in  faying  that  he  had  adted  with  great  propriety,  ’ ">d 
feemed  happy  to  find  that  they  were  again  on  the  fame 
good  fooling  with  the  natives  ; therefore,  that  the  King 
E might 


50  ANACCOUNTOF 

might  fee  they  were  ready,  and  wanted  no  preparation, 
the  Captain  went  off  once  more  to  inform  him,  that  the 
men  would  be  at  his  orders  whenever  he  pleafed.  This 
promptitude  pleafed  him  much,  and  he  in  a veiy  diftiniff, 
pointed  manner  told  Captain  Wilfon  that  he  was  his 
brother  Rupack,  and  that  he  (hould  regard  the  Englijb 
officers  and  people  as  his  own  people  ; and  that  the  Cap- 
tain muff  fend  his  brother,  Mr.  M.  IVilfon,  again  to 
Pclczv,  to  fee  what  things  were  there  for  Englifbmen  to 
• eat,  that  they  might  be  fent  them ; adding,  that  he 
would  order  fome  of  his  carpenters  to  come  and  afiift 
them  in  building  their  veffel ; but  this  offer  the  Captain 
<leclined : and  having  fijiifhed  what  he  had  to  fay,  he 
then  departed  with  his  attendants  to  the  back  of  the  if- 
land,  notifying  that  he  ffiould  return  for  the  men  the 
next  morning.  Captain  JVilfon,  as  before,  informed  his 
•officers  and  men  of  all  that  had  paffed  with  the  King. — 
In  the  afternoon  the  ways  w'ere  laid  ; the  keel,  ftem, 
and  ftern-poff  fquared,  as  alfo  fome  of  the  floor-tim- 
bers, 

Auguft  17.  The  King  came  in  the  forenoon  of  the 
following  day  for  the  men  he  had  been  promifed ; Cap- 
tain W'llfon,  on  offering  to  make  one  of  the  number, 
was  refufed  by  his  own  people,  who  declared  that  he 
•muff  not  expofe  himfelf,  as  all  their  fafeties  depended  on 
him.  Every  one  of  the  Englijh  expreffed  a readinefs  to 
go,  but  the  five  following  being  young  men,  and  requeft- 
ing  their  comrades  with  particular  earneftnefs  to  be  the 
fir  ft  upon  the  lift,  were  thofe  who  were  appointed,  viz. 
Mr.  Cumminy  the  third  mate,  Nicholas  Tyacke,  'James 
JBluitt,  Madan  Elanchard,  and  Thomas  Dulton;  they  alfo 
took  with  them  Tom  Rofe  as  their  interpreter ; the  King 
and  the  Chiefs  taking  each  one  of  them  in  their  canoes  ; 
^ur  men  being  dreffed  in  bluejackets,  cocked  hats,  with 
light  blue  cockades,  and  properly  prepared  with  arms 
■and  ammunition.  The  King  made  but  a Ihort  ftay  ; he 
faid  he  ftiould  leave  four  of  his  own  men  with  our  peo- 
ple, that  they  were  fuch  as  might  be  trufted,  that  the 
expedition  would  be  over  in  four  days,  and  that  all  ima- 
ginable care  ftiould  be  taken  of  the  men  whom  he  carri- 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS. 

ed  away.  He  went  away  in  great  friendfiiip,  fhaking 
ail  the  £rto/^i  hy  the  hand.  Our  people  accompanied 
their  companions,  when  they  departed,*  to  the  ^^ater 
edge,  and  as  they  moved  from  the  firore  in  the  cove, 
gave  them  three  cheers,  the  firft  of  which  was  only  ic- 
turned  by  the  JLng!tfh;  but  the  lingulll  gi'i'ig  ./.bba 
‘Thulle  to  iinderftand  that  this  acclamation  was  ufed  by 
the  Enghjh  as  a farewell,  and  wifh  of  fuccefs,  the  King 
made  all  his  men  ftand  up  in  their  canoes  and  return  the 
fccond  and  third. 

As  foon  as  the  natives  were  gone,  the  boats  were  fent 
to  the  wreck,  but  our  people  did  not  think  it  faie  to  go 
on  board,  as  they  perceived  two  canoes  there  oi  a larger 
conftriiftion,  and  feveral  fmallcr  ones  in  fight,  \vir.cii 
they  fuppofed  to  come  from  the  idand  wnicn  was  then 
at  war  with  the  King ; our  boats  were  therefore  cohg- 
cd,  very  reluftaiitly,  to  return  empty.  During  t;.!S  oay 
cur  people  felled  feveral  trees  for  a ftern,  t .e  one  tney 
before  had  proving  rotten  in  the  middle ; and 
feat  leifure-,  added  to  the  little  profpccl  of  being  inte.  - 
rupted  by  the  natives  for  feme  days,  induced  tnem  to 
embrace  this  opportunity  to  form  the  plan  of  tl-ew  in- 
tended veffel.  Mr.  Earhr,  the  fecond  ofdccr,  wlio'hac, 
in  the  earlier  part  of  life,  been  convevfant  in  the  bu- 
fmefs  of  a dock-yard,  affifted  Captain  IV'ilfon  and  the  car- 
penters in  defignir.g  the  vefft:,  which  was  now  deter-, 
mined  Ihoald  be  a Schccner,  as  eaCer  worked.  The  plan 
was  fhewn  to  every  body,  and  approved  by  all.  The 
petty  officers  and  common  men  conlidering,  that  to  pur- 
fue  this  interclling  bufinefs,  every  individual  muft  do 
his  part,  and  all  concur  in  becom.ing  obedient  to  the 
command  of  one  fuperior,  who  fhould  conduct  and  regu- 
late the  whole  operation,  the  affection  each  had  born  to 
their  Captain,  and  ftill  bore  him,  though  misfortune  had 
fevered  the  tie  between  them,  made  them  unanimonfiy 
t equeft  Captain  ll^tlfon  to  be  that  one  Juperior,  and  that 
he  would  take  the  command  upon  him,  faithfully  pro- 
mifmg  that  they  would,  in  all  things,  implicitly  obey 

his 


5'^  anaccountof 

his  orders,  equally  as  when  the  Antelope  was  on  float ; ' 
that  flie  now  being  a wreek,  they  would  form  themfelv«s 
as  a people  of  a dock-yard,  and  would  confider  Captain 
Wi/fon  (whofe  fornaer  conduft  they  faid  they  fhould  ever 
remember  with  the  wannefl  affection ) as  the  mafler,  or 
manager  of  the  yard,  and  fabmit  to  fuch  laws  and  re- 
gulations as  ufually  govera  places  of  that  kind.  Nothing 
could  more  affc£t  the  fenfibility  of  fuch  a charadter  as 
Captain  IVilfon’s,  to  fee  allthofe  who  had  ferved  un- 
der him,  voluntarily  again  fce;i  hint  as  their  Commander, 
1.0  fliare  flill  far  feverer  toils.  V/ith  a degree  of  joy,  on- 
ly  exceeded  by  his  gratitude,  he  accepted  the  flattering 
diflindllon  their  gcnercfity  offered  him,  expreffing  at  the 
fame  time  an  eanicll  wi^i,  that  in  cafe  any  cenfure  or 
punifhment  fliould  hereafter  be  found  neceflaiy  to  be 
paffed  on  any  individual,  that  this  unpleafant  office  might 
not  reft  with  Inm,  but  be  decided  by  the  majority  of 
voices.  This  alio  was  aflented  to,  and  ail  joined  in  ac- 
Jir.o..;^dgmentK  tn  Mr.  Barker,  whofe  affiftance  had  been 
io  efieiitial  in  fonning  the  plan  of  the  veflel,  which  their 
own  caipenters,  however  airiduous  and  ready,  would  not 
have  been  equal  to.  The  ci;  cumftance  of  the  ylnlclopc 
being  fixed,  and  ftuck  to  the  coral  reef,  by  the  rock 
having  pierced  through  her  bottom,  gave  all  our  picople 
the  moll  flattering  hope,  that  many  ufeful  and  valuable 
materials  for  the  purpofe  of  the  new  veffel  might  yet 
be  faved  from  her,  before  any  returning  hard  gales  fhould 
drive  her  to  pieces.  The  fpirits  of  all  our  people  were 
renovated ; nothing  prefented  itfelf  to  them  but  the  fu- 
ture veffel  whioli  was  to  convey  them  home  ; defponden- 
cy  was  chafed  from  every  mind,  and  each  of  the  Eng- 
iijh  being  appointed  to  his  diftinfl  ftation  by  their  new 
mafter,  having  dug  up  the  tools  which  had  been  buried 
previoufly  to  the  King’s  vifit,  as  before  mentioned,  they 
all  went  to  work  with  the  utmoft  alacrity  ; each  deter- 
mined (however  unfieilled  he  might  be)  to  exert  his  abi- 
lities 

* As  every  reader  may  not  be  acquainted  with  maritime  pro- 
ceedings, to  fuch  it  will  not  be  improper  to  remark,  that  when  a 
merchant-fhip  is  wrecked,  all  authoiity  immediately  ccafes,  and 
every  individual  Is  at  full  liberty  to  Ihift  for  himfelf. 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  53 
lilies  and  peifonal  ftrength  to  promote  and  aid  the  ge- 
neral plan. — Thofe  who  were  appointed  of  the  carpen- 
ter’s crew  were  delired  by  Captain  IVilfon  to  regard 
Mr.  Barker  as  their  direftor,  and  to  receive  from  him 
fuch  appointments  and  direftions  in  that  department,  as 
he  (liould  judge  moft  convenient,  after  he  had  experi- 
enced their  feparatc  abilities.  Mr.  Sharp,  the  furgeon, 
and  Mr.  M.  Wllfou,  were  appointed  to  faw  down  trees, 
in  which  employment  the  Captain  often  worked  h;m- 
felf.  The  boatfwain,  who  had  formerly  ferved  part  of 
an  apprenticefhip  to  a blackfmith,  now  refumed  his  old 
avocation,  aflilled  by  a mate.  The  gunner  was  to  fee 
all  the  arms  kept  in  good  order,  and  occahonally  to  af- 
fifl.  the  carpenter’s  crew.  The  Chinefe  were  employed 
as  laborers,  to  bring  the  trees,  when  felled,  out  of  the 
wood  ; to  provide  water  for  prefent  ufe,  and  fea  ftcre  ; 
and  two  of  them  appointed  to  walh  the  linen,  rrhich, 
though  only  rinfed  in  fait  water,  was  a great  refrefhment 
to  our  people  at  the  clofe  of  a fultry  day,  and  after  fuch 
feverity  of  bodily  toil  as  few  of  them  before  had  ever  ex- 
perienced. 

Notvvithftanding  the  above  diftribution,  they  occafi- 
onally  changed  their  employments  as  circumftances  arefe. 
The  getting  things  out  of  the  (hip  at  the  time  fhe 
ftruck,  as  well  as  the  inattention  every  one  had  to  him- 
felf  in  that  calamitous  moment,  as  alfo  the  frequent  vi- 
fiting  and  getting  materials  from  her  after,  had  expofed 
many  of  our  people  to  great  bruifes  and  wounds,  on 
which  account  Mr.  Sharp  was  occafionally  taken  off  from 
his  new  em.ployment  of  fawing  trees,  to  his  more  na- 
tural one  of  adminiftering  relief  to  thofe  who  Hood  m 
need  of  it. 

All  arrangements  being  now  fettled,  each  went  to  his 
new  department,  and  worked  till  dark,  at  which  time 
all  were  fummoned  to  the  great  tent,  where  Captain 
J'/ilfon  read  prayers ; it  being  the  requeft  of  every  one 
to  join  in  paying  unitedly  their  thankfgivings  to  that 
Supreme  Being  who  had  not  only  fo  providentially  pre-' 
ferved  them,  but  whofe  goodnds  now  relieved  their 
dr-ooping  fpiilts,  by  fpreading  before  them  a hope  of 
E 2 ir.eir 


54  ANACCOUNTOF 

their  being  once  more  reftored  to  their  country  and  fa- 
milies. Each  bringing  with  him  a mind  imprefled  by 
thefe  refleftions,  never  were  prayers  more  devoutly  or 
ardently  offered  up.  And  af^er  they  were  over,  it  was 
ordered,  tliat  public  prayers  iliould  on  no  Sunday  even- 
ing be  omitted. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


Our  People  continue  almojl  every  Day  to  fend  to  theWreci,  and 
. recover  a great  Variety  of  Stores,  — They  form  a Bar- 
ricade round  the  Tents, — complete  it,  — and  continue  their 
Work  nvith  the  utmojl  Jljfiduity  in  the  Dock-Yard,  and  in 
advancing  the  Vijfel. 

Aug.  A G REE  ABLE  to  the  regulations  made 
i8.  Jfx.  the  preceding  day,  the  boatfwain  called  all 
hands  to  their  feparate  labors,  except  fuch  as  were  em- 
ployed in  the  boats. — It  was  judged  expedient  now  to 
form  a barricade  in  front  of  the  tents  towards  the  fca  ; 
this  was  done  by  driving  a double  row  of  ftrong  polls, 
interlaced  with  branches  of  trees,  to  form  a thick  fdnee, 
the  fpace  between  the  two  rows  of  flakes  being  filled 
with  logs  of  wood.  Hones,  and  £and,  to  render  It  as  folld 
as  pofhble.  On  the  infide  was  raifed  a foot-bank,  on 
which  they  could  Hand  and  fire,  In  cafe  of  being  attack- 
ed, with  an  opening  left  for  one  of  the  fix-pounders, 
which  it  was  intended  fhould  be  got  from  the  fiiip  the 
firfl  opportunity,  and  placed  there.  Th^y  alfo  mounted 
two  fwivels  (wl’-ich  were  large  ones)  on  the  flumps  of 
two  trees  that  had  been  fawed  down,  in  a manner  fo  that 
they  might  be  pointed  in  every  neceflaiy'  direftion. 

Augufl  19.  The  boats  again  vifited  the  wreck  very 
early,  and  returned  at  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon, 
bringing  two  hawfers  and  fome  boards.  Some  of  our 
people  emrlo3'ed  in  procuring. water,  which  was  found 
to  be  rather  a fcarce  article.— The  barricade  was  alio 

continued. 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  Si 

continued. — There  was  this  day  little  wind,  the  weather 
being  overcaft,  with  fome  loud  claps  of  thunder.— One 
of  the  natives  having  ilolen  a fmall  hatchet,  that  \yas 
carried  in  the  boat  to  the  wreck,  was  getting  off  with 
it  in  his  canoe;  but  a mulket  being  fired,  charged  on- 
ly with  powder,  in  order  to  frighten  him,  one  of  the 
people,  whom  the  King  left,  went  in  the  jolly-boat,  and 
made  him  rellore  it. 

Auguft  20.  Though  the  morning  was  fliowery,  the 
boats  returned  again  to  the  wreck.  Thofe  on  land 
employed  thcmfelves  in  carrying  on  tlie  bamcade  on 
the  fide  of  the  land,  where  they  were  ftill  affailable. 
The  carpenters  fitted  the  fcarf  of  the  ftem  and  ftern- 
poft.  About  one  o’clock  the  jolly-boat  returned  with 
the  lower  fhroud  hawfer,  fome  plank,  copper,  and  other 
ftores.  By  her  our  people  were  informed,  that  the 
King’s  fon  had  been  on  board  the  wreck,  and  had  fix- 
ed a green  branch  at  each  maft-head.  The  Englj/}}  were 
impatient  for  the  return  of  the  pinnace,  and  about  three 
o’clock  it  arrived.  Our  people  in  the  jolly-boat  had 
conceived,  by  the  fignals  put  on  the  maft-heads,  that 
the  King’s  expedition  againft  his  enemies  was  over;  but 
thofe  in  the  pinnace  rather  fuppofed  them  to  be  placed 
there  either  to  deter  any  of  the  canoes  of  the  neigh- 
bouring iflands  fiom  coming  abroad,  or  probably  as  a 
fignal  which  might  be  underftood  by  the  canoes,  that 
ought  to  have  attended  the  King  to  battle,  that  he 
was  departed,  and  that  they  fhould  follow  him  ( and  this 
was  afterwards  found  to  be  the  cafe;)  but  their  inter- 
preter being  at  that  time  gone  with  the  expedition,  they 
had  nothing  but  their  own  conjeftures  to  truft  to.  The 
afternoon  was  employed  in  laying  the  blocks  for  the 
keel;  having  fixed  upon  the  ground  where  the  veflel 
fhould  ba^built,  which  was  juft  without  the  barricade, 
in  front  of  the  Cove.  They  had  much  rain  and  thun- 
der this  evening.'" 

Auguft  21.  The  boats  made  one  trip  this  day,  and 
brought  a good  quantity  of  plank,  and  fome  junk  for 
oakum.  They  alfo  difeovered  a cafk  of  ylrrach  belong- 
ing to  Mr.  Barker^  it  was  half  a leaguer,  and  having 

beea 


56'  AN  ACCOUNT  OF 

been  covered  by  the  ftores,  had  not  been  perceived  %vhen 
the  reft  of  the  liquors  were  ftaved.  This  was  brought 
on  fhore,  and  given  to  Captain  Wilfon,  to  ufe  at  his 
difcretion;  tlie  people  were  apprehenfive  it  would  be 
ordered  to  he  ftaved,  which  the  Captain  perceiving  by 
their  whilpering  ainonoft  thejnfelves,  propofed  it  ftiould' 
be  kept,  and  each  perfoo  have  a pint  of  grog  every 
evening  after  work  was  over,  until  it  (hould  be  expended. 
This  diftributioa  wa:  approved  by  all,  and  the  caftt  im- 
mediately fecured  in  tent. 

Auguft  22.  All  hands  (the  morning  being  fine) 
were  hard  at  work  in  the  dock-yard;  and  at  ten  o’clock 
they  got  the  keel  laid  on  the  blocks,  and  the  ftemand' 
ftern-poft  bolted.  In  the  afternoon  the  boats,  which  had 
departed  early,  returned  from  the  wreck,  bringing  with 
them  a good  deal  more  plank,  two  cafks  of  beef  in  cafle, 
and  more  than  that  quantity  loofe,  bcfides  fome  empty 
water-cafl<s,  which  our  people  were  obliged  to  be  at- 
tentive to,  in  order  to  fecure  enough  for  their  future 
voyage,  the  natives  having  deftroyed  feveral  of  them 
for  the  fake  of  the  iron  hoops. — Some  little  murmuring 
having  arofe  among,  thofe  who  were  ftationed  to  the 
carpenter’s  work,  the  heat  of  the  weather  and  their 
new  employment  having  terribly  bliftered  their  hands, 
and  their  bodily  fatigue  added  to  this,  had  given  birth 
to  the  difeontent ; in  the  evening,  after  fupper.  Captain 
Wilfon  took  occafion  to  notice  the  uneafinefs  he  had  dif- 
covered,  and  how  blamable  it  was  in  thofe,  who  were 
beft  able  to  labor,  to  exprefs  fach  diftatisfadlic  n,  when 
even  the  weakeft  partook  of  their  flrare  in  the  general 
toil;  and  thus, by  a proper  and  well-timed  reafoning,  every 
difquiet  was  fubdued,  and  perfeft  harmony  and  good- 
humor  reftored. — It  was  propofed,  that  all  Ihoidd  drink 
to  the  fuccefs  of  the  Relief,  which  was  the  name  intend- 
ed to  be  given  the  veffel  now  begun  ; and  on  this  plea- 
fant  occafion  the  Captain  allotted  every  man  a double 
allowance  of  grog. 

Auguft  23.  Squally  weather;  yet  the  boats  brought 
one  of  the  fix-pounder?  on  ftiore.  Our  people  were 

bulled 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  57 
buficd  all  day  about  the  veffel.  By  fome  canoes  feen 
to-day,  it  was  underltood,  that  the  King  was  returned 
to  PcUnu  from  the  expedition. 

Auguft  24.  Our  boats,  in  their  feveral  trips,  ha\:ing 
] got  as  much  plank  and  ftores  as  was  judged  would  be 
fufHcicnt  for  their  prefent  wants,  all  hands  were  em- 
j ployed  about  the  velTel,  and  in  felling  timber.  The 
j gunner,  with  other  afliftants,  got  the  fix-pounder  mount- 
ed on  a carriage,  and  fponged’and  fcaled,  fit  for  fervicc, 

, which  was  then  fixed  in  the  opening  of  the  baimicade 
I prepared  for  it,  fo  as  to  command  the  entrance  of  the 
cove.  This  day  a fmall  fpring  of  water  was  difcovered 
in  the  harbour. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


The  Five  Men,  viith  the  Interpreter,  <who  went  with  the 
King  on  his  Expedition,  return  fafe,  accompanied  by  Raa 
Kook. — The  Account  of  the  Sticcefs  of  that  Expedition. — 
Raa  Kook,  in  the  King's  Name,  gives  the  IJland  of 
Oroolong  to  the  Englifii. — Wilfon  invited  by 
Use  King  to  Pelcw; — exciifes  himfelf  for  the  prefent,  but 
fends  Mr.  Benger,  and  Mr.  M.  Wilfon,  his  Brother, 
with  the  Linguljl,  to  compliment  Abba  Thulle  on  his  late 
Vidory. — Captain  Wilfon  goes  in  his  Boat  round  the 
Ifland. — The  Veffel  continues  to  get  advanced. — Mejfrs. 
Benger  and  Wilfon  return  from  Pelew. 

I ^ ^ whole  attention  of  our  people  was  be- 

25.  _L  flowed  on  the  variety  of  bufinefs  neceifary 
I to  the  advancement  of  the  velfel.  As  the  boats  were 
going  off  this  day  to  the  Ihip,  they  faw  four  canoes, 
full  of  men,  coming  towards  the  harbour  from  the 
fouthward;  and  as  our  people  underllood  thofe  iflands 
I were  at  variance  with  the  King  of  Pelew,  the  boats  re- 
turned, and  foon  after  tliefe  canoes  came  afhore;  thofe 
who  were  in  them  landed,  with  great  marks  of  timidi- 
ty 


58  ANACCOUNTOF 

ty  and  caution ; they  fecmed  (as  far  as  we  could  inter- 
pret  their  figns)  to  intimate  a defire  to  look  round  the 
cove,  and  were  probably  induced  to  take  a view  of  the 
new-arrived  creatures,  whom  accident  and  misfortune 
had  thrown  upon  this  ifland.  There  was  among  them 
a Rupack,  who  was  judged,  by  the  kind  of  bone  on  his 
arm,  to  be  of  an  inferior  order;  but  the  linguift  being 
abfent,  it  was  impoflible  to  difeover  who  they  were. 
Captain  Wilfon  conduced'  them  round  the  cove,  and 
fhewed  them  the  works  which  were  begun.  They  re- 
mained on  (bore  little  more  than  an  hour,  and  appear- 
ed greatly  fatisfied;  departing  full  of  acknowledgments 
for  the  civilities  which  had  been  Ihewn  them,  neither 
they  or  their  attendants  pilfering,  or  afking  for  any 
thing. 

Our  people  now^  opened  a communication  from  one 
tent  to  the  other,  through  which  they  might  retreat, 
or  join,  in  cafe  of  an  attack;  and  they  alfo  fettled  the 
plan  of  defence  within  the  barricade,  and  each  man  had 
his  poft  alTigned  him.  The  reafon  of  making  thefe 
preparations  was,  the  long  I':  ;/  the  people  made  who 
were  gone  with  the  King  to  battle;  they  underftood 
that  they  would  be  back  in  four  or  five  days,  and  this 
was  the  ninth  morning  they  had  been  abfent.  In  the 
afternoon  four  other  canoes  were  perceived  making  into 
the  harbour;  by  the  boatmen  fplafliing  and  flouriflilng 
their  paddles,  our  people  conceived  the  King  was  on 
board  one  of  them,  but  to  their  great  fatisfadtion  they 
foon  faw  they  were  their  counti-ymen  returned. — They 
were  welcomed  with  every  tellimony  of  joy ; and  it  was 
no  fmall  pleafure  to  thofe  left  on  the  ifland,  to  fee  them 
all  come  back  in  health  and  fpirits.  They  reported  they 
had  been  very  kindly  treated  ever  fince  their  departure, 
the  natives  behaving  to  them  in  the  moll  friendly,  unre- 
fevvcd'manner.  The  King’s  brother,  Raa  Kook,  came 
back  with  them.  The  canoes  brought  great  quantities 
of  yams  and  cocoa-nut-  and  the  King  had  given  to 
each  of  the  men  who  w.  it  on  this  - xpedition  a bafket 
of  fweetmeats,  and  alfo  fent  forne  o.  ikets  to  the  Cap- 
tain ; this  fweetmeat  they  diitributed  very  liberaUy 
. amongft 


THE  P E L E W I S I.  A N D S.  59. 

•amongtl  their  countiTmen,  but  it  was  not  much  relifhed, 
being  found  diy  and  hard,  infomuch  that  the  failors  gave 
it  the  name  of  Choke  Dog. — But  of  this  I fliall  have 
occafion  to  fpeak  again,  when  I come  to  defcribe  the 
ciiftoms  and  manners  of  the  natives. 

The  following  was  the  account  our  people  gave  of 
their  expedition,  which  was  confirmed  by  Mr.  Cummin’s 
journal,  who  went  with  them. 

Having  departed  the  1 7th,  they  went  to  one  of  the 
King’s  iflands,  about  fix  leagues  to  the  eaftvvard  of  the 
cove,  where  they  were  received  with  great  kindnefs,  and 
treated  with  much  hofpitality ; after  remaining  there  all 
night,  they  fet  off  the  next  morning  for  Peiew,  the 
place  of  the  King’s  refidence,  which  was  in  an  ifland 
about  three  or  four  miles  diftant : here  they  remained 
till  the  2 1 ft,  the  King  not  being  till  then  able  to  get 
together  all  his  canoes;  however,  by  day -light  on  the 
2 1 ft,  they  muftered  before  the  King’s  houfe  with  their 
arms,  w'hich  confifted  of  bamboo  darts  from  five  to 
eight  feet  long,  pointed  with  the  wood  of  the  beetle- 
nut  tree  and  bearded  ; thefe  they  ufe  for  clofe  quarters, 
but  they  have  fhort  ones  for  diftance,  which  they  throw 
with  a Ihort  ftick  of  about  two  feet  long,  having  a 
jiotch  cut  in  it  to  receive  the  point  of  the  dart,  and 
place  their  hand  at  the  other  extremity  of  the^  dart, 
which,  being  made  of  bamboo,  is  elaftic  and  compreffed 
into  a curve,  proportioned  to  the  diftance  they  aim  at, 
and  being  then  fuffered  to  fpring,  in  general  it  comes 
down  pei-pendicular  on  the  objeft,  to  which  it  is  direft- 
ed. 

The  Englijh  eihbarked  in  five  different  canoes,  and 
went  away  to  the  eaftward  about  ten  or  twelve  leagues, 
. calling  as  they  went  along  at  feveral  of  the  King’s  vil. 
lages  to  refrefti  and  reinforce;  at  half  an  hour  paft  two 
in  the  afternoon,  they  got  in  fight  of  the  enemy.  The 
j King  had  with  him  now  a fleet  of  one  hundred  and 
I fifty  canoes,  on  board  of  w'hich  were  confiderably  above 
I one  thoufand  men.  Of  the  enemy’s  forces  our  people 
I could  form  no  certainty.  Before  the  aftlon,  Raa  Kook 
went  in  iis  canoe  dofe  to  the  town,  and  fpoke  to  the 

enemy 


Co  ANACCOUNTOF 

enemy  for  fome  time,  having  Thomas  Dullon  in  the  boat 
with  him,  who  had  dircftions  not  to  lire  till  fuch  time 
as  the  fignal  agreed  on  lliould  be  given  him.  What  the 
General  faid,  being  received  by  the  enemy  with  great 
indifference,  Raa  Kook  threw  a fpear  at  them,  which 
they  almoft  immediately  returned;  this  being  the  fignal 
for  firing,  was  inflantly  obeyed;  a man  was  feen  to  fall 
dircftly,  and  this  threw  the  enemy  into  great  confufion. 
■ Such  as  were  on  lliorc  ran  away,  and  the  greater  part 
of  thofe  in  the  canoes  jumped  into  the  water  and  made 
foi  land;  a few  more  mullcets  were  fired,  which  dif- 
perfed  the  enemy  entirely : and  our  friends  feemed  per- 
fedlly  fatislicd  with  their  putting  them  to  flight,  and  in 
this  mark  of  vlftory,  but  made  no  other  ufe  of  it  than 
to  land,  ftrip  fome  cocoa-nut  trees  of  their  fruit,  and 
cany  off  fome  yams  and  other  provifion.  After  this  fight, 
or  more  properly  this  attack,  the  fleet  returned  home- 
ward, the  King  being  highly  pleafed  with  his  triumph. 
They  flopped  at  feveral  places  in  their  way,  where  the 
women  brought  out  fweet  liquor  for  the  people  to  drink; 
and  it  being  too  far  to  get  home  that  night,  the  fleet 
difperfed  up  feveral  fmall  creeks,  about  eight  o’clock 
in  the  evening,  where  they  flept.  The  next  morning 
feafts  were  prepared  in  all  the  neighbouring  houfes,  and 
at  three  in  the  afternoon  the  people  re-embarked,  and 
fet  off  for  Pelcav,  where  they  arrived  fafe  about  feven 
the  fame  evening. — Here  alfo  they  found  the  women  rea- 
dy to  receive  them,  with  cocoa-nut  Ihells  filled  with 
fweet  liquor.  On  landing,  the  fired  a volley,  and 

gave  three  cheers,  with  which  the  King  appeared  great- 
ly pleafed.  Here  our  people  flept,  and  were  told  that 
they  muft  flay  and  refl  themfelves  the  next  day,  and 
ft^  off  for  their  ifland  the  day  fucceedJng.  There  was 
nothing  but  rejoicing  and  feflivity  in  the  town  the  next 
morning,  and  the  refl  of  the  day  was  pafftd  with  hilari- 
ty, and  celebrated  with  fongs  and  dances  made  on  the 
occafion. 

Before  our  people  embarked,  the  King  took  tl)cm  tt> 
his  houfe,  treated  them  with  fome  flewed  turtle,  ex- 
preffed  great  fatisfadtion  in  their  behaviour,  and  promif- 

ed 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  6i 

ed  to  fend  to  tlielriflands  fuppllesof  yams;_  aflcingthcm 
if  they  thought  Captain  JVilfon  would  again  fpare  him 
ten  men  to  go  againll  the  fame  people,  intimating  alfo 
a defign  he  had  againit  another  illand;  Mr.  Cummin  de- 
clined giving  an  anfwer  to  this  queftion,  faying  he  could 
undertake  nothing  without  the  Captain  s orders.  After 
breakfail  the  King  went  down  to  the  water-fide  with 
the  Englijk,  where  he  parted  with  them  in  a very  kind 
manner,  fending  two  large  canoes  laden  with  yams  for 
the  rell  of  their  countrymen.  They  then  pafled  over 
to  the  fmall  illand  where  they  had  firft  landed,  and  walk- 
ed acrofs  it  with  the  General,  who  accompanied  them, 
and  who  ordered  the  canoes  to  go  round  to  the  other 
fide;  they  were  now  conduced  to  their  firft  night’s  habi- 
tation, where  their  old  friends  received  them  (if  pof- 
fible)  more  hofpitably  than  before;  both  fexes  flocking 
about  them,  and  making  figns  to  exprefs  their  know- 
ledge of  the  defeat  of  the  King’s  enemies.  Here  they 
ftaid  the  night,  and  after  a paffage  this  morning  of  five 
hours,  rejoined  their  lliipmates,  to  the  mutual  fatisfac- 
tion  of  all. 

The  Arrack  having  been  found  during  the  time  our 
country-men  had  been  abfent,  at  their  return  they  were 
ferved  the  liquor  due  to  them,  in  the  proportion  that 
it  had  been  ufed  at  the  tents  in  their  abfence,  which 
they  Invited  their  comrades  to  partake  of  in  the  even- 
ing, and  this,  with  the  yams  and  cocoa-nuts  they  brought, 
made  a feaft. — Thofe  who  had  been  abfent  were  excced- 
ingly  rejoiced  to  fee  the  harbour  and  tents  put  in  a 
ftate  of  defence;  but,  above  all,  at  the  progrefs  in  the 
veflcl,  wherein  all  the  future  hopes  of  every  individual 
were  already  in  imagination  embarked. 

Auguft  26.  At  day -break  the  boatfwair^  as  ufual, 
piped  all  out  to  their  feparate  departments;  and  thofe 
who  had  been  at  the  war,  having  depofited  with  the 
"unner  their  military  weapons,  moft  willingly  joined  in 
the  convention  which  had  been  made  in  their  abfence,, 
*and  entered  on  their  different  talks. 

Raa  Kook  having  informed  Captain  IVilfon  the  pre- 
ceding night,  that  his  brother,  Abba  Thulle,  had  given 
F to 


62  ANACCOUNTOF 

to  hitn,  for  the  E.ngl'Jh.,  the  ifland  he  was  then  on,  the 
name  of  ^'hich  they  had  not  heard  before,  but  now  learnt 
it  was  called  Oroolong;  after  bieakfaft.  Captain  JVilfon, 
in  teftimony  of  the  King’s  donation,  hoiiled  the  Brihjh 
pendant,  and  fired  three  voUies  of  fmall  arms,  in  token 
of  their  taking  pofleffion  of  it  for  the  Engltfh. — Our 
people  faying,  as  they  returned  in  the  canoes  from  Pelew, 
that  the  natives  were  conftantly  pointing  to  the  ifland, 
calling  it  Engljjby  and  Engli/Imen’ s land,  the  King  had 
fent  his  brother  to  make  known  to  Captain  Wilfon  this 
grant  of  the  ifland,  as  alfo  to  give  the  Captain  an  invi- 
tation to  Peleiv:  excufed  himfelf  for  the  prefent,  hav- 
ing fo  much  to  attend  to  at  Oroolong  ; but  fent  Mr.  Ben- 
ger,  who  had  been  Firft  Mate  of  the  Antelope,  and  his 
brother,  Mr.  M.  Wilfon,  w'ith  the  linguift,  ’Tom  Rofe, 
and  one  of  the  China-Men,  who  were  accompanied  by 
the  General,  Raa  Kouh,  to  compliment  the  King  upon 
his  viftory,  and  to  prefent  the  refpefts  of  himfelf  and 
all  his  countr)'men  on  the  occafion.  The  reafon  of  Cap- 
tain Wilfon’ s fending  one  of  the  China-men  was  this,  that 
he  might  notice  more  particularly  the  produce  of  the 
country,  and  examine  if  there  might  not  be  vegetables 
good  to  eat  which  the  natives  overlooked,  or  did  not 
attend  to;  he  alfo  gave  him  in  charge  to  be  very  accu- 
rate in  obferving  if  they  had  not  plants  at  Pelenu  fimilar 
to  thofe  in  his  own  country.  The  Chinefe  being  all 
tolerable  Botanijls,  and  living  fo  much  on  vegetables, 
that  turn  a China-man  on  any  fpot,  he  would  contrive 
to  pick  a meal  for  himfelf  from  it.  The  truth  of  this 
remark  Captain  Wilfon  had  experienced  from  repeated 
voyages  he  had  made  to  China,  as  well  as  from  the  gene- 
ral charafter  of  thofe  people. 

This  afternoon,  after  feeing  one  of  the  frame  tim- 
bers up,  tRe  Captai*!  went  round  his  new  ifland  in  the 
jolly-boat,  in  order  to  obferve  its  fhores,  and  its  external 
appearance.  He  found  the  fouth  fide  of  it  almoft  a 
perpendicular  rock,  covered  with  wood,  among  which 
he  obferved  abundance  of  the  cabbage-tree,  but  growing 
in  places  inacceffible  from  the  water. — The  weft  fide 
Ixad  a fair,  fandy  beach,  and  foine  level  ground  between 
i the 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  Ci 
the  fea  and  the  hills. — It  was  here  where  the  well  was, 
whence  our  people  brought  their  water ; and  many  traces 
of  ancient  plantations  were  found,  fufficient  to  deinon- 
flrate  that  the  ifland  had  formerly  been  inhabited. — The 
northern  part  is  a ftcep  rock  covered  with  trees.  As 
the  boat  rowed  along  its  fide  they  had  often  breezes 
from  it,  wafting  a moft  fweet  and  agreeable  fmell.  On 
the  eaft  fide  was  the  bay  and  harbour,  which  lay  caft 
and  well ; it  was  judged  the  whole  circumference  of  the 
ifland  did  not  exceed  three  miles;  the  coming  in  from 
the  coral  reef  is  to  keep  riglit  for  a fmall  opening  which 
feparates  the  ifland  of  Oroo/ong  from  an  uninhabited 
ifland  to  the  eall'.vard  of  it,  until  the  bay  opens,  then 
haul  up  well  into  the  harbour;  the  courfe  before  will 
have  been  about  fouth. 

Auguft  27.  The  morning  being  fine,  the  jolly-boat 
was  defpatched  to  the  watering-place  to  fetch  fome  tim- 
bers for  futtocks,  and  to  haul  the  feine ; but  no  fifli  could 
be  caught.  Some  hands  were  fent  to  try  to  procure 
fome  cabbages,  in  which  they  fucceeded ; they  were 
drefled  for  fupper,  and  found  to  be  very  good. — Some 
of  our  people,  who  had  been  cutting  timber  at  the  wa- 
tering-place, inllead  of  coming  back  in  the  jolly-boat 
with  their  companions,  chofe  to  return  home  over  land, 
and  the  evening  being  far  advanced,  they  narrowly  efcap- 
ed  with  their  lives. — The  jolly-boat  returning  to  the 
tents  when  it  was  dark,  brought  an  account,  that  thefe 
men  (who  intended  to  come  over  land)  had  let  out  fome 
time  before  the  boat ; and  it  being  then  late,  and  no 
tidings  of  them,  much  uneafinefs  was  entertained  on 
their  account.  People  were  immediately  fent  out  with 
lanterns  to  go  in  quell  of  them,  who  as  they  went  on, 
eveiy  now  and  then  hallooed. — The  voices  being  heard, 
and  known,  the  benighted  travellers  very  prudently  halt- 
ed till  the  lights  they  had  difeovered  at  a dillance  came 
up  with  them  ; and  moll  fortunate  it  was  that  they  did 
fo,  for  when  their  Ihip-mates  arrived  they  found  them  on 
the  edge  of  a dreadful  precipice,  where,  had  they  ad- 
vanced a few  Heps  further,  they  mull  inevitably  have 
plunged  to  the  bottom.  All  were  happy  to  fee  them 

return 


^4  anaccountof 

return  after  fo  great  an  efcape. — This  evening  J!rra 
arrived,  and  pafTcd  the  night  with  our  people; 
he  brought  with  him  all  his  fpirits  and  gaiety,  and 
entertained  them  woudei fully  with  the  plcafaut  dcfcrio- 
tiou  he  gave  of  the  late  engagement,  afting,  with  liis 
accuftomed  humor  and  geftures,  the  panic  which  felzed 
the  enemy  the  inilant  they  heard  the  report  of  the 

Auguft  28.  The  pinnace  was  fent  off  to  the  wreck 
to  fearch  if  no  further  neceflaries  could  be  flill  recover- 
ed.— Captain  Wtlfon  went  to  the  top  of  the  hill  above 
the  tents,  and  had  a fpot  of  ground  cleared,  in  order 
to  ufe  It  as.  a look-out  or  obfervatory,  to  fee  if  a paffage 
could  be  difeovered  in  the  reef.  On  examination,  it 
was  thought  that  there  was  apparently  a good  one,  right 
out  from  the  weft  point  of  the  iiland. — It  had  hitherto 
been  a great  doubt  among  our  people,  whether  a veffel 
of  the  fize  theirs  muft  be  (though  intended  to  be  no 
larger  than  was  ncceffaiy  to  convey  thcmfelves  and  pro- 
viiions  in  fafety  to  China)  wmuld  be  able  to  find  a paf- 
fage through  the  reef  capable  of  allowing  her  to  float 
over.  ^Irra  Kookcr  left  the  ifland  this  day,  and  another 
frame  timber  was  got  up. — The  Chinefe  were  bufied  in 
rva/hing  the  few'  clothes  that  were  faved. 

Auguft  29.  The  weatlici  cloudy ; no  canoes  at  the 
ifland. — The  boatfwain  employed  in  making  a main- 
fail  for  the  veffel  out  of  the  remains  of  the  fails  that 
).ad  been  faved.— The  jolly-boat  made  three  trips  for 
timber  to-day,  which  being  cut-down  at  the  back  of 
the  Ifland  and  roughed  ofi,  they  could  eafily  manage 
to  bnng^und. — It  was  found  that  the  tides  rofe  about 
nihewjt  upon  the  fpring,  and  it  was  liigh-water  about 
nine  o’clock  upon  the  full  and  change  of  the  moon. 
About  four  P.  M.  Mr.  Benger,  Mr.  JVilfon,  and  the 
China-man,  returned  in  a canoe,  and  foon  after  Raa 
Kcok  with  the  linguift  in  another.  Mr.  Benger  brought 
an  account,  that  they  were  received  and  treated  by  the 
King  and  his  people  with  the  moft  perfeft  friendfliip 
and  hofpitality ; that  they  were  conftantly  pralfing  the 
power  and  exploits  of  the  Engli/h,  to  w'hom  they  af- 

crlbed 


the  PELEW  islands.  65 

cribed  the  fuccefs  in  the  late  battle;  repeating  the  word 
Engkes  inceffantly  in  their  longs,  at  their  dances  and 
rejoicings,  which  he  laid  were  not  then  over;  and  that 
they  were^  meditating  another  expedition,  more  formida- 
ble than  the  lait,  in  which  they  meant  to  rely  on  the 
alTiftance  of  the  Englijh. — Mr.  Benger  faid  their  hoiifes- 
were  tolerably  good,  with  plantations  of  yams  and  co- 
coa-nuts about  them  ; that  the  foil  appeared  to  be  rich 
and  fertile;  that  they  have  neither  corn,  or  cattle  of  any 
kind,  nor  did  he  fee  much  fruit  or  produce  of  any  great 
ufe  or  value. — 'I'he  China-man  alfo  added,  “ that  this 
“ have  very  poor  place.,  and  very  poor  people  ; no  got  clothes, 
“ no  got  rice,  no  got  hog,  no  got  nothing,  only  yam,  little JiJh, 
“ and  cocoa-nut  ; no  got  nothing  make  trade,  very  little  make 
“ eatd^  This  fellow’s  defeription,  which  I have  given 
in  his  own  words,  fufficiently  fliewed  that  he  viewed 
mankind  with  the  eye  of  a Dutchman,  only  calculating 
what  was  to  be  got  from  them. — The  mind  of  a fpecu- 
lative  reader  is  far  otherwife  engaged;  he,  in  the  dif* 
perfed  families  of  the  world,  traces  the  hand  of  Provi- 
dence guiding  all  things  with  unerring  wifdom. — He 
marks  it  balancing  with  equ:ik  fcale  its  blcffings  to  the 
children  of  men;  and  confiders  human  nature,  however 
unadorned,  when  dignified  by  virtuous  fimplicitv,  as. 
enc  of  the  nobleft  objefts  of  contemplation. 


/ 


CHAPTER' 


66 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF 


CHAPTER  X. 


^ if  difcovend  through  the  Coml  Reef,  fujjicient  to 

carry  out  the  Vejfel  ’when  completed. — Captain  Wilfon,. 
Mr.  Sharp,  Mr.  Devis,  and  Henry  Wilfon,  go  to 
Pclew  to ’ufit  the  King, — Jin  Jccount  of  the  Hofpitalily 
’with  •which  they  'were  received. — Some  Defeription  of  the 
Manners  of  the  Natives,  and  their  Mode  of  Living. — 
Mr.  Sharp  is  requejled  to  go  into  the  Country  to  fee  a 
Jich  Child  of  one  (f  the  Riipacks,  'which  he  does,  and' 
returns  to  Pelcw. 

Aug.  f I H E morning  proved  fo  wet  that  our  people 
30.  JL  could  not  Hand  out  to  work,  but  were  em- 
ployed in  the  tents.  Raa  Kook  fent  away  fome  of  the  ca- 
noes which  came  with  him,  detaining  only  fuch  as  were 
to  carr)’  Captain  Wilfon  down  to  Pelcw. — TTie  Malay, 
who  had  been  the  interpreter  to  the  natives,  and  whofe 
name  was  Soogle,  being  on  fhore,  took  a compafs,  and 
pointing  to  the  S.  S.  W.  faid  that  five  days  fail  from 
Oroolong,  on  that  point  of  the  compafs,  was  thfe  place 
he  came  from,  which  he  called  Monado ; that  there 
were  about  forty  Dutch  people  there,  abundance  of  pep- 
per, and  plenty  of  hogs  and  poultry.  He  faid  Monado 
was  three  days  fail  from  Batavia;  that  when  he  left 
Batavia  they  had  three  veffels  or  proas,  that  two  of  them 
parted  company,  and  that  the  one  he  was  on  board  of^ 
going  from  Monado  to  Tcrnate,  was  driven  by  a hard 
gale  of  wind  hither,  w'here  they  were  wrecked.  Our 
people  fuppofed  there  was  much  falfehood  in  this  fellow’s 
account,  and,  from  converlations  their  own  linguift  had 
with  him,  they  fufpefted  thefe  people  had  been  Malay 
pirates,  which  they  afterwards  had  confirmed,  by  one  of 
them  who  was  brought  to  England. — In  the  afternoon 
Mr.  Cummin  was  fent  in  the  jolly-boat,  to  try  for  the 
palTage  through  the  reef  wliich  was  thought  to  have 


the  pelew  islands.  6^ 

been  difcovered  the  day  before,  from  the  look-out  above 
the  tents.  Captain  Wilfon  took  up  fome  men,  and  cleared 
flill  more  the  fpot  intended  for  an  obfervatory. — The 
jolly-boat  returned,  after  having  been  without  the  reef 
through  a narrow  palTage,  in  which  they  found  at  low- 
water  three  feet  and  a half  of  water,  and,  as  it  rofe 
eight  or  nine  feet  upon  a fpring-tide,  it  was  judged 
there  muft  be  at  thofe  times  twelve  feet  of  water,  which 
would  be  almoft,  double  the  draught  of  the  Schooner 
when  finifhed — This  was  an  information  which  revived 
every  one’s  hopes,  and  made  all  our  people  look  forward 
with  frefh  fpirits.  Intelligence  was  alfo  brought,  that 
they  had  found  feven  fathom  water  immediately  with- 
out the  reef,  and  three  fathom  within  in  the  fhoaleft 
part,  which  was  a narrow  bank  of  fand  that  formed  a 
bar. — -Thefe  obfervations  were  taken  at  low-water,  or 
when  very  little  flood  was  made. 

Auguft  3 1 . The  Captain  having  fixed  this  day  for 
his  going  to  vifit  the  King  at  Pelew,  as  foon  as  all  had 
breakfafted,  he  read  prayers  In  the  tent ; Raa  Kook, 
with  fuch  of  the  natives  as  were  waiting  to  accompany 
him,  attended  divine  fervice,  and  were  moft  exceedingly 
attentive,  following  exaflly  what  they  faw  our  people 
did,  in  rifing  or  kneeling,  except  that  inftead  of  kneel- 
ing they  would  fquat  down  on  their  hams.  After  pray- 
ers were  ended.  Captain  Wilfon  took  leave  of  his  peo- 
ple, taking  with  him  Mr.  Sharp,  Mr.  Devis,  and  hi» 
fon  Mr.  Henry  Wilfon;  they  went  in  the  jblly-boat ; the 
General  accompanying  him  In  his  canoe.  They  left  the 
tents  about  eight  o’clock  in  the  morning.  At  noon  as 
they  approached  the  little  ifland  which  h'es  about  three 
or  four  miles  in  the  fea  off  Pelew,  they  obferved  Raa 
KooPs  canoe  paddling  away  at  a great  rate  to  get  a-head 
of  them ; he  juft  ftept  on  Ihore  at  a little  town  fituated 
by  the  water  edge,  and  foon  returned  to  meet  them, 
dircfting  their  couiie  to  the  leeward  of  the  ifland,  where 
they  were  met  by  another  canoe,  laden  with  yams,  co- 
coa-nuts, and  fweetmeats,  to  refrefli  them  on  their  paf- 
fage.  This  explained  immediately  the  reafon  of  the 
general’s  quitting  them  fi?  fuddenly,  which  they  now 

perceived 


6S  ANACCOUNTOF 

perceived  was  merely  to  indulge  his  hofpitablc  difpofiti* 
on,  and  from  his  anxiety  left  our  people  fhould  be  fa- 
tigued for  want  of  refrelhment.  . Every  one  partook  of 
this  entertainment,  and  then  proceeded ; and  reached 
the  ifland  of  Peleiv  about  one  o’clock  in  the  afternoon. 

As  /*e/i?w_came  in  fight,  the  jolly-boat  hoifted  Eng- 
Itfh  colors,  and  fired  three  mufkets ; which  were  anfwer- 
ed,  as  they  approached  nearer  the  fiiore,  by  a white 
flag  ftuck  on  a pole ; this  was  conceived  to  have  been 
fuggefted  by  the  Malay,  and  proved  to  be  fome  of  the 
white  cloth  that  had  been  given  to  the  King.  Raa  Kook 
having  quitted  his  canoe,  came  into  the  jolly-boat ; and 
our  people,  on  landing,  fired  three  muflrets  more,  after 
having  hoifted  their  colors,  and  fixed  them,  in  the  ground 
oppofite  a houfe  clofe  to  the  water-fide,  at  the  end  of 
the  caufeway  where  they  came  on  fliore  j to  which  houfe 
our  people  were  conduced  by  Raa  Kook,  to  wait  the 
King’s  coming,  he  having  defpatched  a meflenger  to  no- 
tify the  Captain’s  arrival. 

Before  the  King  appeared,  fome  of  the  natives  were 
fent  down  with  refrefhments ; they  firft  brought  a large 
tureen  /nade  of  wood,  in  the  fhape  of  a bird,  and  in- 
laid with  ftiell,  this  was  full  of  fweet  drink ; they  alfo 
brought  a painted  ftand,  about  two  feet  in  height,  inlaid 
in  the  fame  manner  as  the  tureen,  upon  which  were 
fweetmeats  garnilhed  with  Seville  oranges ; next  came  a 
baflcet  of  boiled  yams,  followed  by  another  of  young  co- 
coa-nuts ; thefe  were  all  placed  in  a kind  of  order,  pre- 
paratory to  the  King’s  coming.*  On  his  arrival  Cap- 
tain Wilfon  rofe,  and  embraced  him,  as  he  had  done  at 
their  firft  interview.  Jlbba  Ehulle  fat  down  by  him,  and 
they  were  then  ferved  with  the  before-mentioned  provi- 
fions,  by  a man  who  feemed  to  aft  as  a butler,  and  gave 
to  each  a portion,  by  the  King’s  dire^ions.  After  this 
entertainment  was  over,  Captain  Wilfon  offered  him  the 
prefent  he  had  brought,  which  confifted  of  fome  iron 

hoops, 

* It  was  very  remarkable,  that,  tlironged  as  the  honfe  was,  and 
every  avenue  to  it,  yet  as  foon  as  it  was  known  that  the  King  was 
approaching,  the  raoft  profound  and  reverential  filence  was  pre- 
ferved. 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  69 
hoops,  fonie  necklaces  made  of  gold  and  nlver  lace,  tied 
with  riband  at  each  end  ; to  which  he  meant  to  have  ad- 
ded a few  hies,  but  one  of  the  natives  purloined  them 
from  the  perfon  who  had  them  in  charge. 

The  King  came  down  without  any  Hate,  and  feemcd 
only  attended  by  thofc  whom  curiofity  to  fee  the 
had  brought  together  ; the  houfc,  and  ever^'  pait  about 
it,  was  thronged  witli  the  natives,  to  fee  our  Captain, 
who  had  drefled  himfelf  in  the  Company’ s uniform. 

After  the  repaft  was  ended,  Mr.  DeoPs,  who  was  a 
draughtfman,  being  llruck  with  the  appearance  of  a wo- 
man who  was  prefent,  took  out  a piece  of  paper,  and 
was  making  a fketch  of  her  figure ; which,  before  he 
had  completed,  the  lady  noticing  that  he  had  repeated- 
ly looked  her  eameftly  in  the  face,  and  marked  fome- 
thing  down,  was  diftrelTed  at  it,  and  rofe  up  to  go  away, 
in  appearance  very  much  agitated  ; nor  could  file  be 
perfuaded  to  flay,  although  fomc  of  the  Rupach  pre- 
fent laughed  heartily  at  her  alarm  ; which  led  our  peo- 
ple to  conceive  that  fiie  was  the  wife  of  one  of  them. 
A Rupack  looking  over  Mr.  Dc-vis’s  fiioulder,  feemed 
pleafed  at  the  reprefentation,  or  likenefs,  and  wiflied  to 
hand  it  up  to  the  King  ; who  fo  readily  entered  into 
a true  idea  of  the  art,  that  he  immediately  fent  a mef- 
fenger  to  order  two  of  his  women  to  come  down  to  the 
houfe  where  he  was : they  arrived  very  foon,  and  placed 
themfelvcs  at  the  window  fronting  where  Mr.  Devis  was 
feated,  at  which  thefe  ladies  could  (land  without  being 
feen  lower  than  the  waifi: ; — perceiving,  as  they  looked 
into  the  houfe,  a fmile  on  every  countenance,  they  at 
fiidl  appeared  pleafed  themfelves,  and  the  King  told  them 
the  reafon  why  he  had  fent  for  them ; but  foon  notic- 
ing Mr.  Devis  fixing  his  eyes  earneftly  on  them,  they 
did  not  know  what  to  make  of  the  bufinefs,  and  began 
to  look  exceedingly  grave.  The  King  then  feemed  to 
chide  them,  on  which  they  Hood  quiet,  and  rather  af- 
fumed  an  eafier  air.  Mr.  Devis  having  finlfhed  his  fltetch- 
es,  prefented  them  to  the  King,  he  Ihewed  them  immedi- 
ately to  his  women,  who  feemed  pleafed  in  viewing  on  pa- 

pe^ 


7®  ANACCOUNTOF 

per  a fancied  likenefs  of  themfelves,  and  appeared  as  if 
a little  afhamed  at  having  been  fo  fooliflily  and  unnecelTa- 
rlly  dlftreffed. 

The  King  then  defired  Mr.  Devis  to  lend  him  a piece 
of  paper,  and  his  pencil,  on  which  he  attempted  to  de- 
lineate three  or  four  figures,  very  rudely,  without  the 
lead  proportion  ; their  heads,  Inllead  of  an  oval,  being 
in  a pointed  form  like  a fugar-Ioaf.  Nor  Jet  any  one 
conclude  from  this  circumfiancc,  that  the  King  was 
odcntatlous  to  exhibit  the  little  knowledge  he  poirefled 
of  the  art  j I rather  mention  it  as  a proof  of  his  open- 
nefs  of  temper,  to  let  Mr.  Devh  fee  that  he  was  riot  to- 
tally Ignorant  of  what  was  meant  by  it ; nor  was  it  lefs 
a mark  of  his  condefcenfion,  in  {hewing  he  could  very 
imperfc611y  trace  what  the  artift  was  able  more  happily 
to  delineate.  He  approved  in  the  ftranger  thofe  talents 
he  would  himfelf  have  been  ambitious  to  pofTefs,  and  in 
his  manner  of  tcftifying  his  approbation,  exhibited  in 
captivating  colors  that  which  no  pencil  could  difplay — 
the  urbanity  of  a noble  mind. 

The  King  now  fignified  to  lus  guefts,  that  he  would 
*condu£l  them  up  to  the  town  ; they  exprelTed  their  rea- 
dlnefs  to  attend  him,  and  ordered  their  colors  to  be 
raifed  and  carried  before  them,  wilhing  to  imprefs  on 
the  natives  what  little  idea  of  ceremony  their  forlorn  fi- 
tuation  could  admit  of.  Peleiu  is  hardly  more  than  a 
quarter  of  a mile  from  the  fhore  ; they  afcended  a bank 
into  a wood,  led  by  the  King  and  Raa  Kooh,  and  fol- 
lowed by  a great  concourfe  of  people.  Having  paffed 
the  wood,  they  found  themfelves  on  a fine,  broad  caufe- 
way,  or  pavement,  with  rows  of  trees  on  each  fide, 
forming  a grove ; this  caufeway  was  raifed  about  two 
feet  above  the  level  of  the  ground,  and  was  about  ten 
feet  in  width,  having  a broad,  flat  ftone  running  along 
the  middle,  for  the  greater  convenlency  of  w’alking  ; it 
was  paved  on  each  fide  with  ftones  of  a fmaller  fize,  and 
Icfs  worked ; this  caufeway  led  to  the  towm,  and  then 
parted  to  the  right  and  left  ; the  one  conducing  to 
where  fome  of  their  boat-houfes  were  erefted,  the  other 
to  ■tHeir  bathing-place. 

Having 


the  PELEW  islands.  71 

Having  now  reached  Pehw,  they  came  into  a large, 
fquare  pavement,  round  which  were  feveral  houfes ; our 
people  were  conduced  to  one  that  ftood  in  the  centre 
of  one  of  the  fides.  Out  of  this  houfe  iflued  a num- 
ber of  women,  who  .were  waiting  to  fee  thefe  new  Be- 
ings  the  Englifb,  and  whom  they  foon  underftood  were 
the  wives  of  fome  of  the  Rupach,  or  great  officers  of 
ftate ; thefe  were  rather  fairer  than  the  reft  of  the  wo- 
men, had  fome  little  ornaments  about  them,  and  their 
faces  and  breafts  w'ere  rubbed  over  with  turmeric. 

The  King,  and  his  brother  Raa  Kook,  led  his  guefts 
into  this  houfe,  into  which  the  women  returned,  and 
received  them  with  much  joy,  prefenting  their  company 
with  cocoa-nuts,  and  fweet  drink,  which  all  fat  down 
and  partook  of.  The  ladies  alfo  feated  themfelves,  and 
taking  a parcel  of  leaves,  began  making  mats ; an  em- 
ployment in  which  they  pafs  a great  part  of  their  time. 
The  King  informed  his  guefts  that  this  houfe  w'as  to  be 
their  abode  as  long  as  they  remained  at  Pelew,  and  that 
there  they  were  to  fleep.  After  which  he  rofe  up,  and 
withdrew,  previoufly  apologizing  to  Captain  W'tlfon  for 
retiring,  faying  he  was  going  to  bathe.  Soon  after  a 
meflage  came  to  Raa  Kook,  from  the  Queen,  to  requeft: 
fhe  might  fee  the  Englifb  at  her  dwelling ; they  attend- 
ed the  General  thither,  through  a pathw'ay  from  the  back 
of  the  houfe  where  they  were,  w'hich  led  into  a grove 
of  cocoa-nut  trees  ; having  croffed  the  grove,  they  came 
to  a fmall  retired  habitation,  in  the  front  of  which  w’aa 
a fquare,  formed  with  paved  ftone,  furrounded  alfo  with 
cocoa-nut  trees.  Immediately  before  this  houfe  was  a 
rail,  on  which  were  fome  tame  pigeons,  tied  by  the  leg. 
This  is  a bird  held  in  fuch  eftimatioa  in  thefe  iflands, 
that  none  but  the  Rupacks,  and  their  families,  are  allow- 
ed to  eat  of  them.  As  they  approached,  the  Queen 
opened  her  window',  and  fpoke  to  Raa  Kook,  to  defire 
the  EngHfb  would  fit  down  on  the  pavement  before  her; 
which  being  complied  with,  a number  of  attendants 
brought  out  yams,  cocoa-nuts,  and  fweet  drink ; and 
whilft  they  were  partaking  of  thefe  the  Queen  alked 
JRaa  Kook  ni;iny  queftions  about  our  people,  and  then 


72  ANACCOUNTOF 

fcnt  them  one  broiled  pigeon  (which  they  drefs  without 
drawing)  that  every  one  might  have  a bit  to  tafte  ; giv- 
ing them  to  underftand,  that  this  was  the  greateft  rari- 
ty that  the  country  produced.  She  took  very  great  no- 
tice of  the  Engli/h,  and  wifhed  fome  of  them  would 
come  clofe  to  the  window,  and  draw  up  their  coat* 
fleeves,  that  Ihe  might  fee  the  color  of  their  fkin  ; af- 
ter flie  had  viev.'ed  them  attentively,  and  aflced,  through 
the  General,  as  many  circumftances  refpefting  them  as 
ihe  thought  Ihe  could  with  propriety  obtrude,  Ihe  figni- 
ficd  that  Ihe  would  not  longer  trefpafs  on  their  lime  by 
detaining  them ; fo  they  rofe  and  took  leave  of  her.  * 

'rhe  General  now  told  them  he  wifhed  to  conduA 
them  to  his  own  houfe,  which  was  a little  diftant  from 
the  firll  fquare,  where  the  King  had  allotted  them  their 
habitation. — At  the  houfe  of  this  Chief  they  were  re- 
ceived quite  in  the  family  way,  without  any  form  ; they 
svere  obliged  juil  to  tafte  of  what  was  fet  before  them, 
though  their  appetites  had  been  fufficiently  taken  away 
by  partaking  of  fo  many  entertainments  before.  Raa 
Kook's  wife  brought  them  in  a broiled  pigeon,  which 
they,  out  of  compliment,  eat  a bit  of,  for  the  honor 
done  them. — In  this  domeftic  fcenc  Raa  Kook  appeared 
in  a new  and  amiable  light ; It  was  a fituation  which 
placed  to  their  view  that  benevolent  heart  of  liis  they 
Lad  themfelves  before  frequently  noticed. — Here  he  was 
furrounded  by  feveral  of  his  children,  two  of  whom  were 
very  young,  and  feemed  almoft  of  the  fame  age ; they 
were  climbing  up  his  knees  and  carelling  him,  whilft  he 
feemed  to  enjoy  great  pleafure  in  rolling  and  tolling 
them  about,  handing  them  to  our  people,  that  they  might 
ttlfo  notice  and  play  with  them. 

Whilft  the  attention  of  Captain  Wilfon  and  his  com- 
panions had  been  engaged  by  this  interefting  fcene,  the 
night  had  crept  fall  on  them,  and  It  being  now  quite 
dark,  they  requefted  leave  to  retire ; Raa  Kock  apolo- 
gized 

* This  lady  feemed  to  have  a greater  degree  of  refpedl  and 
attention  paid  her  than  any  other  of  the  King’s  wives;  never 
went  abroad,  and  her  houfe  was  the  King’s  general  rclidence. 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  73 

gi/.ed  for  not  waiting  on  them  home,  but  ordered  one 
of  his  own  people  and  the  Malay  to  condudl  them 
back. 

Being  arrived  at  their  allotted  dwelling,  they  learnt 
that  the  King  had  been  there  after  his  bathing,  but  un- 
dcrftanding  they  were  gone  abroad  with  his  brother, 
he  had  retired  to  his  own  houfc,  but  had  fent  them  fome 
fifh  for  fupper. — After  fupper  Ran  Kook  fent  mats  for 
them  to  fleep  on,  and  called  himfclf  before  he  went  to 
reft,  to  fee  if  they  were  fupplied  with  every  thing  they 
ftood  in  want  of,  and  which  it  was  in  his  power  to  of- 
fer.— Our  people  repofed  on  thefe  mats  at  one  end  of 
the  houfe,  the  King  having  ordered  fome  of  his  own 
men  to  fleep  at  the  other  end,  to  protedl  them  from 
any  inconveniency  which  might  arife  from  the  curiofity 
of  the  natives,  as  well  as  to  watch  the  fires,  made  to 
keep  thfin  from  the  dews  and  mofquitos.  They  all  re- 
pofed very  well,  in  the  fulleft  degree  fatisfied  with  the 

great  attention  and  kindnefs  of  their  new  friends, 

The  night  proved  both  windy  and  wet,  but  they  found 
their  habitation  perfeftly  dry;  their  houfes  beino-  fi> 
well  thatched,  that  the  weather  rarely  is  able  to  pene- 
trate them. 

September  i.  Raa  Kook  called  on  them  very  early 
in  the  morning;  in  all  his  vifits  he  wove  on  hio  counte- 
nance fuch  a look  of  good-humor  and  congratulation  as 
more  than  told  our  people  he  rejoiced  to  fee  them.  He 
never  feated  himfelf  clofe,  but  at  fome  fmall  diftr.nce 
from  them,  which  is  regarded  in  thefe  parts  as  a mark 
of  refpedt.  He  told  them  he  was  going  to  bathe,  and 
they  went  down  to  the  fliore  to  fee  if  their  boat  and 
its  iren-work  was  fafe — On  their  return,  the  Captain 
and  his  companions  received  a mefiage  to  breakfaft  witli 
the  King.— They  were  condnaed  to  the  houfe  where, 
the  preceding  evening,  th.ey  had  been  to  pr.v  their  rc- 
fpefts  to  the  Queen.  It  confifted  of  on^  great  room, 
not  boarded  on  the  floor,  as  is  the  ufiial  cuftom  there, 
but  covered  with  bamboos  laid  and  fafccned  down  col- 
laterally,  with  fcarce  any  fpace  between— At  one  end 
of  thi.8  room  was  the  kitchen,  where  the  fervants  were 
^ bufied 


74  ANACCOUNTOF 

bufied  in  preparing  breakfaft,  but  without  any  partition 
to  feparate  the  kitchen. — At  the  oppofite  end  ran  a high 
rail,  with  a large  matloofely  laidoverit. — Some  attendants 
who  were  prefent,  defired  our  people  to  feat  themfelves; 
which  when  they  had  done,  the  King  pulled  down  the 
mat,  and  difeovered  himfelf  and  the  Qheen  feated  be- 
liind  it. — As  this  trifling  ceremony  had  lomewhat  of  an 
air  of  Hate  that  had  never  been  fliewn  before,  nor  was 
on  any  future  occafion  exercifed,  they  fufpefted  that 
this  mode  of  the  King’s  receiving  the  Englijb  was  fome- 
thing  the  Malay  had  put  into  his  head,  and  which  the 
King  probably  found  fo  clumfy  and  fooliih  that  he  never 
adopted  it  again. — They  had  boiled  fifh  and  yams  placed 
before  them;  and  during  breakfaft  the  King  fhewed 
Captain  Wiljon  a large  piece  of  chintz,  which  the  A^a- 
lay  had  faved  when  he  was  wrecked,  and  had  given  him. — 
He  feemed  to  admire  it  much,  and  when  it  had  been 
looked  at,  he  folded  it  up  again  very  nicely  in  a mat; 
liaving  only  produced  it  as  being  to  him  a great  curio- 
lity. 

During  the  time  of  breakfaft  the  King  talked  much 
with  the  Malay,  who  after  it  was  over,  told  Mr.  Sharp 
that  ^bba  Thiille  wifhed  he  would  go  a little  way  into 
the  country,  without  declaring  for  what  purpofe. — Mr. 
Sharp  hefitated,  till  Mr.  Devis  offered  to  accompany 
him ; the  King  faid  a perfon  would  prefently  be  there 
to  condufl  them,  who,  when  he  came,  appeared  to  be 
one  of  the  Rupachs  who  had  been  with  them  at  Oroo- 
Img  at  the  King’s  firft  coming,  when  they  individually 
fixed  their  notice  on  fome  one  of  our  people ; a circum- 
ilance  which  then  occafioned  fome  alarm,  as  has  before 
been- mentioned  *.  And  this  Chief  proved  to  be  the 
perfon  who  had  particularly  noticed  Mr.^  Sharp  as  his 
f iend  or  Sucalic  (a  term  the  natives  gave  it.) 

Mr.  Sharp  and  Mr.  Devis,  accompanied  by  the  inter- 
preter, put  themfelves  cheerfully  under  the  guidance  of 
this  Rupach,  whofe  name  was  Arra  Zook;  they  had  not 
proceeded  far,  after  getting  off  the  caufeway,  before 
they  met  with  Captain  Wllfon's  fervant,  who  was  ftrag- 


See  page  38. 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  75 
gling  about  with  his  gun  to  kill  fome  fowl  for  dinner. 
The  Rupack  made  figns  to  him  to  join  company,  which 
he  did,  on  being  informed  by  Mr.  Sharp  that  he  was 
going  where  the  Eing  had  fent  him.  As  they  went 
over  the  hills,  they  pafTed  feveral  pleafant  village,  and 
a valley  beautifully  cultivated  with  plantations  ot  cocoa- 
nuts  and  yams,  forming  from  the  fummit  a rich  and 
delicious  profpeft.  ^Vhen  they  had  got  nearly  three 
miles  from  Peleiv,  the  heat  was  fo  opprelTivc,  that  Mr. 
Sharp  and  his  companions  exprefled  an  inclination  to  re- 
turn back;  but  the  difappointment  which  appeared  in 
the  countenance  of  the  Rupach  who  hadcondudled  them, 
rr.adc  both  gentlemen  judge  it  advilable  not  to  crofj 
his  wifhes. — 'i'hey  tlierefore  proceeded  about  a mile  and 
a lialf  further,  when  they  arrived  at  a plantation,  at  the 
end  of  which  ftood  his  houfe.  He  folicited  them  to 
enter,  when  various  refrefiiments  were  placed  before 
them.  He  then  introduced  his  wife  and  his  childrer. ; 
and  Ihcwcd  Mr.  Sharp  a child  that  was  aiTildled  witir 
fome  bad  ulcers,  from  a kind  of  boils,  a diiurdcr  wliich 
he  faid  was  common  to  the  people  there;  and  informed 
Mr.  Sharp  what  applications  he  had  himfelf  ufed  to  his 
child,  which  were  chiefly  fomentations,  made  with,  cer- 
tain leaves;  and  that  occahonally,  after  the  inflammatory 
fymptoms  were  abated,  he  had  put  a little  of  their  chi- 
nam  into  the  wound  to  cat  the  proud  fleflu- — I'lr.  Sharp, 
who,  fituated  as  he  was,  could  not  undertake  to  repeat 
his  attendance,  thought  it  bell  to  advjfe  the  Rapach  to 
tlie  continuance  of  the  remedy  the  child  had  hcoa 
ci'.Ilomcd  to  ; and  now  perceiving  the  reafcir  why  this 
vil’it  was  folicited,  after  remaining  there  a proper  time, 
he  and  Mr.  Drvts  intimated  their  wifh  to  return  bad: ; 
but  the  Rupacl  told  them  that  his  people  were  at  wc.'-: 
f(>r  them,  and  that  they  mull  not  depart  till  the  bunuds 
they  were  about  was  done.  They  now  perceived  the 
liofpitality  of  ylrra  Zook  was  not  confined  to  the  tr.:r.i.- 
eiit  entertainment  he  had  already  fpread  before;  their. 
His  people  prcfently  appeared,  loaded  wit’u  yams  md 
ovoa-mits,  packed  up  in  large  baficets;  and  alio  l;a;1:ets 
of  fweetmeat which  they  had  made  fre.fli  for  thert 

while 


75  A N A C C O U N T O F 

while  they  had  be.cn  in  Iiis  houfe.  The  Rupach  told 
them  tliat  his  people  fhould  carry  all  thefe  balkets  to  the 
King’s  town,  that  they  might  there  be  put  into  a boat 
to  be  given  to  their  friends  at  Oroolong. — Charmed  with 
the  charadher  of  their  liberal  hoft,  Mr.  Sharp  and  his 
companions  took  their  leave,  teilifying  their  thankful- 
nefs  for  the  kindnefs  he  had  fltewn  them ; whilft  the  good 
man  ftoed  affuring  them  of  the  joy  they  had  afforded 
him  and  his  family  in  coming  to  his  houfe,  and  how  tru- 
ly they  had  obliged  him  by  looking  at  his  poor  fick 
< l\ild.  As  the  Rupach  accompanied  them  to  the  door» 
oppofite  to  it,  on  a rail  (as  before  deferibed  at  the  Queen’s 
lioufe)  was  his  rooll  of  tame  pigeons ; not  thinking  he 
iiad  fufficiently  gratified  his  liberal  fpirit,  he  gave  them 
at  parting  a look  of  the  warmeft  benevolence,  and  told 
them  when  their  fhip  was  built,  they  fhould  have  all 
his  pigeons  to  carry  with  them. 

Thefe  gentlemen  returned  to  Pelew,  followed  by  the 
fervantsof  Arra  Zook  with  the  prefents  of  their  matter. — 
Captain  Wilfon  had  in  the  mean  time  paid  a vifit  to  Raa 
Kook,  where  he  was  fhewn  three  iron  travelers,  which 
fome  of  the  natives  had  got  from  the  wreck;  the  Gene- 
ral fald  the  Englijh  fhould  have  them  again,  and  the 
Captain  in  return  proraifed  to  give  him  a hatchet. 

Such  are  the  little  pleafurable  barters  of  life,  when 
life  is  governed  by  limplicity  alone,  and  the  ettimation 
objeds  are  held  in,  is  only  proportioned  to  their  real 
utility ! 


CHAPTER 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  77 


CHAPTER  XL 


Further  Account  of  the  Natives  of  Pciew.— ^ Council  cf 
State  is  held,  at  the  Breaking  up  of  vjhicn  the^  Ktr.g  re- 
qufls  of  Captain  Wilfon  ten  Mat  to  go  ‘with  him  on  nje- 
cond  Expedition  againjl  the  fame  Enemy — ’which  is  agreed 
to. — Deferipthn  of  the  Dance  of  the  Warriors.— Our  Peo- 
ple return  to  Oroolong,  find  their  Countrymen  "well,  and 
in  ^reat  Unanimity  advancing  the  F ’jfd- — Fhe  ten  Ehii 
fletied  'who  loere  to  attend  the  King  to  Battle. 

S»;p.  ^"1^  HIS  day  a great  council  was  lield,  in  tlie 
I.  J.  forenoon,  in  the  open  air,  on  the  large  fquare 
pavement  near  the  lioufe  allotted  the  Englijh,  It  con- 
filled  of  a number  of  Rupachs,  or  Chiefs,  feated  eacn  * 
on  a fingle  Hone,  placed  near  the  outer  border  of  tl.c 
pavement ; that  for  the  King  was  more  elevated  than  tlie 
rdlj  and  clofe  to  the  fide  of  it  was  a Hone  lliU  higher, 
on  which  he  occalionally  relied  his  arm  : when  in 

their  places,  they  are  encircled  by  officers  of  infeiiv:)r 
rank.  They  debate  from  fide  to  fide,  on  whatever  lub- 
je<fl  happens  to  be  under  difculfion,  and  it  was  under- 
ftood  that  the  plurality  of  opinions  determined  the  mat- 
ter before  them.  In  the  prefent  calc  it  did  net  require 
the  knowledge  of  their  language  to  difeover  the  bufinefs 
they  were  on  ; as  the  houfe  in  which  the  Captaift  and 
his  companions  were,  looked  full  on  their  council ; and 
their  geilures,  as  v^ll  as  the  frequent  repetition  of  the 
words  Englees  and  Artingall,  left  our  people  no  room  to 
doubt  but  that  they  had  been  the  fubjedl  of  their  delibe- 
ration.— After  the  council  broke  up,  the  King,  attend- 
ed by  the  linguift,  came  to  the  houfe  where  the  Englijh 
were,  and  requefted  Captain  Wilfon  would  permit  ten  of 
his  men  to  go  with  him  to  battle,  againll  the  fame  ene- 
my as  before.  Captain  Wilfon  replied  to  the  King  near- 
ly as  he  had  dene  before,  “ that  the  Engli/h  were  his 
G 2 “ friends, 


anaccountof 

“ friends,  and  would  regard  thofc  who  were  his  cne- 
“ mies,  as  being  enemies  of  their  own.”  This  reply 
greatly  plcafed  the  King.  The  Captain  defiring  to  Jinovv 
the  caufe  of  the  war,  Alla  ThuUe  informed  himj^hi  ough 
the  linguifi,  that  fome  time  back,  at  a feftival  at  Artin- 
gal!,  one  of  his  brothers,  and  two  of  his  Chiefs,  had 
been  iviiled,  and  that  the  two  ifiands  had  been  at  war  ii| 
ever  fince;  the  people  of  Arlingall,  fo  far  from  making 
any  fatisfaflion,  had  protected  the  murderers.  Captain 
W'.lfrm  intreated  that  lus  people  might  not  be  detained  at 
Pelc-M  longer  than  was  .ncceflary,  as  it  would  greatly  re- 
tard the  building  of  his  vcfiel.  The  King  anfwered, 

“ that  he  could  not  in  decency  fend  them  lack  the  moment  he 
“ had  had  their  fcrvices,  but  that  he  •would  keep  them  only 
“ two  or  three  days,  that  they  might  be  made  gay,  and  re- 
“ joke  •with  his  own  people  after  fubdumg  his  enemies,”  ' 

In  the  afternoon  the  King  took  Captain  IVilfon  and 
his  companions  to  fee  fome  canoes  that  were  then  build- 
ing; and  fhevved  them  alfo  fome  of  their  boat-houfes,  I 
which  were  well  conflrufted,  nicely  thatched,  and  not 
unlike  thofe  that  are  made  in  England.  From  hence 
they  were  carried  to  fee  fome  other  canoes,  which  were 
jiill  come  in  from  an  expedition  they  had  been  feat  on 
by  themfelves,  and  from  which,  after  four  days  abfence, 
they  had  returned  viftorious,  having  brought  in  one  ca- 
noe of  the  enemy,  though  not  a finglr  prifoner.  The 
obtaining  a eanoe,  howevei  trifling  it  may  appear  to  a 
reader,  is  equal  to  the  capture  of  the  largeft  fliij)  of  war 
in  Europe;  as  their  battles  are  generally  fought  near 
fliorc,  and  when  there  is  no  appearance  of  fuccefs,  they 
get  to  land,  and  hafllly  haul  up  thei*  canoes. 

In  the  evening  our  people  were  entertained  with  a dance 
of  the  warriors,  who  were  juft  then  returned,  which  was 
performed  in  the  following  manner: — The  dancers  have  , 
a quantity  of  plantain  leaves  brought  to  them,  which 
they  fplit,  and  (hiver  into  the  form  of  ribands;  thefe 
they  then  twine  and  fix  round  their  heads,  wrifts,  w'alfls, 
ankles,  and  knees,  and  the  leaves  being  of  a yellowifh 
hue,  fo  prepared,  have  not  an  inelegant  effeft  when 
applied  to  their  dark,  copper  Ikin.  They  make  alfo 

bunches 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  79 
bunches  or  tafTcIs  of  the  fame,  which'they  hold  in  their 
hands.  When  drav/n  out,  they  form  themfelves  into 
circles  of  two  or  three  deep,  one  within  another.  ^In 
pentrdf,  an  elderly  man  amongll:  them  begins  fomething 
like  a fong,  or  long  fentence,  in  a very  folemn  tone,  for 
our  countrymen  could  not  difcriminate  which  it  was, 
and  when  he  comes  to  a paufe,  or  what  we  fhould  call 
the  end  of  a ftanza,  a chorus  is  ilruck  up,  and.  the  dan- 
cers all  join  in  concert,  ftill  continuing  their  figure. 
Their  dancing  does  not  fo  much  confift  in  capering  or 
agility,  as  in  a particular  method  tliey  have  of  balanc- 
ing themfelves,  and  this  frequently  very  low  fideways, 
finging  together  all  the  while;  during  which,  they  will 
flatten  their  circles,  fo  as  to  bring  themfelves  face  to 
face  to  each  other,  lifting  up  the  taflels  they  hold  in 
their  hands,  and  giving  them  a clafliing  or  tremulous 
motion ; after  this  there  will  be  a fudden  paufe,  and  an 
exclamation  from  every  voice,  Weel!  Then  a new  fen- 
tence or  ftanza  is  repeated,  and  danced  to  as  before, 
and  the  fame  ceremony  continued,  till  every  man  who 
is  engaged  in  the  dance  has  in  his  turn  had  his  repetiti- 
on and  chorus. 

During  this  feftivity  two  large  tubs  of  fweet  drink 
were  brought  in,  which  were  ferved  out,  firft  to  the 
Englj/h  and  the  principal  people  prefent,  who  juft  tafted 
it,  and  then  the  tubs  were  carried  to  the  warriors;  and 
v/hen  the  dance  was  ended,  they  all  fat  down  upon  the 
fquare,  and  the  drink  was  ferved  out  to  them  by  four 
perfons,  who  feemed  to  be  people  of  note,  having  bones 
upon  their  wrifts;  the  warriors  then  removed  to  a houfe, 
at  which  a fuppen»vas  prepared  for  them,  where  they 
continued  dancing  moft  part  of  the  night,  but  when  it 
grew  dark,  the  Englifh  retired  to  their  own  habitation. 

September  2.  The  night  proved  very  wet  and  win- 
dy ; our  people  the  next  morning  breakfafted  with  the 
King,  and  after  breakfaft  Captain  ' acquainted 

him,  that  as  foon  as  the  weather  would  permit,  he  in- 
tended to  return  to  Orooicng;  to  which  he  was  pleafed 
to  agree.  The  wind  being  unfavorable,  Mr.  Sharp  took 
the  Captain  to  fee  the  Rupachf  whofe  child  he  had  vi- 

fited 


8o  ANACCOUNTOF 

fitcd  the  preceding  day.  They  pafled  many  fine  plan- 
tations of  cocoa-nuts,  yams,  and  beetle-nuts;  and  alfo 
obferved  a tree  with  a large  fruit  on  it,  which  the  na- 
tives call  Ri’a'mal/,  but  the  linguift  who  was  witJa  them 
faid  it  was  called  by  the  Malays,  Pan'giy;  our  people 
thought  it  the  bread-fruit. — Arra  Zook  received  them 
with  great  joy,  brought  them  water  to  wafh  their  feet 
before  they  went  into  the  houfe,  gave  them  mats  to  fit 
down  on,  made  them  frelh  fwectmeats,  and  fet  before 
them  a kind  of  flierbet.  Our  people’s  complexion  as 
much  excited  the  furprife  and  admiration  of  this  Ru- 
pack's  neighbours  and  houfehold,  as  it  had  before  done 
their  firft  vifitors  at  Oroolonsr. 

O 

jAfter  experiencing  once  more  this  good  man’s  hof- 
pltality,  tliey  returned  to  Relew,  where  the  warriors 
had  renewed  their  dances.  In  the  afternoon  Captain 
IVtlfon  and  his  friends  took  another  ramble  into  the 
country',  but  in  a contrary  diredlion  to  the  courfe  they 
had  purfued  in  the  morning.  All  the  way  they  went 
appeared  to  be  equally  well  cultivated  as  what  they  had 
feen  before,  and  rather  fuller  of  iuha’oltants.  Whei-ever 
tliey  palTed  they  obferved  the  lower  rank  of  women 
employed  in  looking  after  the  plantations  of  yams, 
which  are  generally  in  fwampy  ground.  They  obferved 
the  women  were  alfo  employed  in  making  mats  and  baf- 
kets,  dreffing  viiftuals,  and  nurfing  their  children  ; the 
men  were  found  bufied  in  gathering  cocoa-iiutsj  hew- 
ing trees,  and  making  fpears  and  darts. 

September  3.  The  weather  ftill  bad,  Captain  Wilfon 
went  down  to  the  wharf,  before  fun-rife,  to  look  after 
his  boat,  and  returned  to  breakfall  with  Raa  Kcoh.  At 
noon  he  accompanied  the  King  to  %is  boat-builders, 
where  Abba  ThuUe  wanted  to  give  direrftions  about  fame 
work  that  was  carrying  on  for  him  there;  he  had  taken 
down  with  him  a delign  of  his  own  for  ornamenting 
fome  canoes  then  building,  and  this  defign  was  marked 
on  a board  with  great  accuracy,  in  different  colors,  to 
work  after.  At  this  place  our  people  dined  with  the 
King  upon  pigeons. 


The 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  8i 

The  rain  fell  in  torrents  all  the  night,  accompanied 
with  very  loud  thunder.  The  Englijb  had  removed  to 
another  of  the  King’s  houfes,  in  order  to  be  retired, 
liaving  been  dilhirbed  by  the  curiofity  of  the  natives, 
whilft  they  remained  in  the  habitation  which  had  been 
firft  afhgned  them^ 

September  4.  The  King  and  his  brother  Raa  Kooh 
made  our  people  a viiit  at  day-break;  the  weather  after 
break  fall  clearing  up,  they  informed  the  King  they 
wiftied  to  return  to  Oroolong.,  to  which  he  aflented, 
though  wifliing  rather  to  detain  them  another  day. 
They  found  the  jolly-boat  ready  loaded  for  them  with 
cvciy  kind  of  proviiion  the  ifland  afforiK'd ; and  about 
two  o’clock  in  the  afternoon  they  left  Pelew,  highly 
fatisfied  with  the  kindnefs  of  their  new  friends,  giving 
them  three  cheers,  as  ufual,  at  parting;  which  was  re- 
turned by  the  King  in  perfon,  who  in  this  inftance  put 
off  his  giavity,  and  laughed  very  much,  joining  the 
men,  women,  and  children  in  their  cheers,  ftanding  up, 
and  apart  in  fuch  a manner  as  to  make  himfelf  con- 
Ipicuous. 

Our  people  arrived  fafe  at  the  tents  about  nine  o’clock, 
though  the  wind  had  been  adverfe  to  them  ; and  had  the 
pleafure  of  finding  aU  their  companions  well. 

September  5.  The  next  morning  being  fine,  they 
put  out  their  clothes,  and  the  few  ncceflaries  which  had 
been  faved  from  the  wreck,  to  dry,  having  been  much 
wetted  by  the  late  heavy  rains.  Captain  Wi^on,  on  coming 
back,  had  the  fatisfaftion  to  fee  that  all  his  people,  in 
his  abfence,  had  been  going  on  very  afliduoufly  with 
the  vefiel,  and  that  the  moft  perfeft  harmony  had  fub- 
iifted  amongft  them.  This  was  a circumftance  which 
could  not  fail  to  hold  out  the  happieft  prefages,  that 
they  fhould  in  the  end  accomplifh  that  point  to  which 
their  moft  fanguine  wifhes  were  direfted.  They  un- 
derftood  that  no  canoe  had  been  at  Oroolong  during  the 
time  they  had  been  at  Pelew. 

September  6.  At  day-light  the  boats  were  font  again 
to  the  wreck,  to  fee  if  no  other  materials  could  be 

procured  i 


82 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF 

procured ; they  brought  back  in  the  evening  more 
planks,  nails,  and  many  other  necefiaries,  which  were 
of  effential  fervice,  particularly  coals.  Thofe  who  re- 
mained on  Ihore  were  bulled  about  the  veflel. — A lilt 
was  made  out  of  the  number  of  men  the  King  had 
wilhed  to  goon  his  fecond  expedition.  On  this,  as  well 
as  on  the  former  occallon,  every  individual  exprelTed  a 
readinefs  to  be  of  the  number ; and  thofe  who  aftual- 
ly  went,  amicably  fettled  the  matter  among  themfelves, 
on  which  their  names  were  wrote  down,  and  lluck 
agalnft  a tree  in  the  dock-yard  ; and  dlreftions  given, 
that  they  Ihould  hold  themfelves  in  readinefs  again!! 
the  time  the  <King  fnould  either  fetch,  or  fend  for 
them. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


"The  King  comes  to  Oroolong — Is  much  Jlruck  with  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  Vejfel,  which  he  had  not  Jeen  before. — Is 
Jhewn  the  Barricade  and  the  Six-pounder ; ■ which  is  af- 
terwards, at  his  Defire,  fired  off. — Views  the  different 
Vlrtifcers  employed  in  the  hoci-Tard. — The  imprefton  all 
thefe  new  Sights  make  on  him. — lifter pqffmg  feveral  Hours 
with  our  People,  he  goes  to  the  Back  of  the  If  and. — The 
King  returns  next  Day — w'fses  to  take  a Swivel  Gun  on 
the  Expedition. — Phis  ohjeSed  to. — He  departs  for  Pelew, 
carrying  with  him  the  ten  Men  allotted  for  the  War. 

Sep.  t I ^ H E weather  fettling  fine,  all  hands  were 
7.  JL  employed  in  felling  timber,  and  getting  the 
frames  of  the  veffel  forward.  In  the  afternoon  four  ca- 
noes came  into  the  harbour,  and  gave  our  people  fome 
filh  ; who,  in  retum,  made  them  a prefent  of  fome  iron. 
As  they  appeared  to  have  a large  provlfion  of  filh,  by 
bartering  a little  more  old  iron,  there  was  plenty  for 

every 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  83 
every  man  at  fupper.  In  the  evening,  wlun  the  toil 
of  the  day  was  over,  the  Captain  read  prayers,  as  ufu- 
al. 

After  breakfaft  Captain  Wilfon  went  out  In  the  jolly- 
boat,  to  found  and  examine  the  reef  himfelf.  He  found 
a pafTage,  In  which  there  were  three  fathom  at  low-wa- 
ter, due  weft  from  the  ifland.  Between  the  ifland  and 
the  reef  he  found  a flat  fand-bank,  upon  which  there 
were  only  feven  feet  at  low-water;  it  was  clear  fand, 
except  a few  coral  fpots,  which  were  eafily  difcovered  by 
the  color  of  the  water. 

In  the  afternoon  the  King  paid  our  people  a vifit, 
attended  by  his  two  brothers,  the  Chief  Minlfler,  and 
feveral  of  his  other  Chiefs,  and  brought  them  fome  fine 
fifh,  that  his  canoes  had  caught  In  nets,  which  they 
make  very  nicely.  Thefe  fifh  differed  much  from  any 
kind  our  people  had  hitherto  feen,  they  were  rather 
more  than  three  feet  in  length,  and  near  a foot  acrofs, 
having  a very  bony  and  thickhead;  the  bone  was  fo 
uncommonly  hard,  as  to  ftrike  fire  when  they  fplit  It 
with  an  axe,  in  order  to  ftew  It.  The  meat  cut  folid 
and  firm,  like  a large  cod;  and  the  fcales  wera  round, 
near  the  fize  of  a Spanlf}  dollar ; the  natives  prize  it 
much,  and  our  people  found  it,  when  boiled,  very  good. 
They  had  only  caught  four,  two  of  which  were  given 
to  the  Engiyh,  and  by  the  fhip’s  fteward  divided  into 
meffes.  The  Chinefe  dreffed  their  portion  differently* 
making  a mixture  with  rice,  and  other  things,  which 
they  call  Chow  Chow. 

The  King,  who  now  for  the  firft  time  had  feen  the 
progrefs  made  in  the  new  veffel,  appeared  perfedlly  amaz- 
ed at  perceiving  how  much  had  been  done,  nor  lefs  fo 
at  the  magnitude  of  the  objeft.  He  minutely  examined 
every  thing  with  the  moft  eager  attention,  and  Impati- 
ently called  for  his  Tackalbys,  or  artificers,  to  notice  what 
had  fo  much  excited  his  own  aftonifhment.  The  Tac- 
kalbys, feized  with  a furprife  equal  to  that  of  their  Prince, 
after  deliberately  poring  over  its  parts,  pointed  out  to 


84  ANACCOUNTOF 

him  the  very  fingular  manner  in  which  every  thing  was 
wedged  and  bolted  together. — They  were  quite  loft  in 
wonder  at  the  ufe  and  power  of  the  iron-work;  and  the 
whole  together  feemed  to  have  engaged  their  minds  as 
fomewhat  beyond  their  comprehenfion. — The  King 
crofted  frequently  between  the  ribs  of  the  veffel,  and 
faid  he  was  at  a lofs  to  coneeive  how  they  could  ever  be 
made  fo  as  to  keep  out  the  water,  having  no  idea  that 
they  were  to  be  planked. 

As  moft  of  the  frame-work  of  the  veflel  on  the  ftocks 
had  been  made  out  of  trees  which  our  people  had  cut 
down  in  the  ifland,  the  King  pointed  out  to  them  a 
fpecies  of  wood  which  they  had  ufed  in  fome  parts  of 
the  veflel,  and  which  he  exprefled  a concern  at  feeing ; 
faying,  he  deemed  It  an  unlucky  wood,  and  that  it  might 
prove  the  caufe  of  their  meeting  with  fonie  accident ; 
carneftly  preffing  them  to  take  it  out,  and  not  fuffer 
any  of  It  to  remain.  They  acknowledged  his  great 
care  and  goodnefs  for  them  ; at  the  fame  time  informing 
him,  they  were  accuftomed  to  employ  different  kinds  of 
timber  in  conftrufting  their  (hips,  and  from  experience' 
had  difcovered  that  nothing  was  to  be  apprehended  on 
that  fcore.  This  caution  feemed  to  arife  from  fome 
(upsrJlit'iQus  idea  which  the  natives  entertained  of  this 
tree,  of  which  there  were  feveral  growing  on  the  ifland 
of  Oroolong. 

The  King  this  day,  as  well  as  the  General,  much  no- 
ticed the  barricade,  as  alfo  the  fix-pounder;  and  after 
he  had  talked  fome  time  with  the  Malay,  he  Inquired 
the  ufe  of  the  great  gun.  The  Captain  fliewed  him 
the  balls,  and  grape-fhot,  and  alfo  explained  to  him  their 
force  and  efficacy:  Informing  him,  that  if  a number  of 
canoes  from  Jlrtingall,  or  any  other  ifland  of  his  enemies, 
ftould  approach  tlie  cove,  this  machine  would  blow  them 
off  the  water,  and  fliiver  them  to  atoms.  The  King 
was  alfo  fhewn  the  fwivel  guns,  which  were  mounted  on 
trees  fawn  down,  as  before  mentioned;  and  it  was  ex- 
plained to  him,  that  they  could  be  pointed  in  any  di- 
reftion  which  fliould  be  moft  defirable,  or  convenient, 

fo 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  85 

fo  that  (hould  any  of  his  enemies  come  by  fiirprife  over 
land,  thefe  moveable  guns  would  give  our  people  as  great 
advantage  and  power  over  them  by  land,  as  the  fix- 
pounder  would  by  fea. 

The  King,  his  brothers,  and  the  Chiefs  who  were 
with  him,  on  receiving  this  intelligence,  feemed  to  look 
at  our  countr)-men  with  frefli  aftonifhment ; they  con- 
verfed  much  among  one  another,  teftifying  by  their 
aftions  every  indication  of  furprife. — Thty  walked  round 
the  barricade  and  examined  it  with  much  attention,  no- 
ticing how  ftrongly  and  clofe  every  part  was  intrenched 
and  fortified. 

This  little  ifland  of  Oroolong  having  been  rendered  far 
moie  commodious  to  the  Englijh  by  the  many  neceflary 
eftablifiiments  they  had  made  fince  the  King  had  paid 
them  his  former  vifit,  there  was  of  courfe  a good  deal 
of  additional  novelty  for  him  to  attend  to. — After  he 
had  pointed  out  to  his  Tackallys  to  notice  with  particu- 
lar attention  every  thing  about  the  barricade,  he  ftrolled 
inquifitively  round  the  cove  with  his  company. — The 
noife  of  the  forge  which  our  people  had  fet  up,  and 
which  was  then  at  work,  foon  drew  his  attention  that 
way : it  happened  that  the  boatfwain  was  at  that  inftant 
beating  out  a piece  of  hot  iron  upon  a pig  of  the  fame 
metal,  which  he  had  made  his  anvil.  This  was  a cir- 
cumftance  fo  entirely  new,  and  a difcovery  fo  intereftlng 
to  them,  that  they  all  ftood  abforbed  in  admiration.  — 
They  could  not  be  perfuaded  to  keep  at  a diftance,  but 
would  get  fo  clofe  to  the  anvil  as  to  receive  occafionallr 
a hot  fpark  on  their  naked  bodies;  nor  did  this  deter 
them  from  catching  with  their  hands  the  luminous  par- 
ticles that  flew  from  under  the  ftroke  of  the  hammer 

Every  thing  under  fuch  clrcumftances  as  the  prefent, 
naturally  excited  wonder.  When  the  iron  was  beaten 
on  the  anvil  till  the  rednefs  was  gone  off,  and  it  was  be- 
come too  cold  to  be  malleable,  they  could  not  compre- 
hend why  it  was  again  put  into  the  forge.. — The  throw- 
ing water  on  the  fire  to  make  it  burn  brifleer  was  alfo 
a new  fource  of  furprife;  and  it  was  with  much  difficul- 
ty they  could  be  drawn  av/ay  from  a fcene  that  was  fo 


86  ANACCOUNTOF 

new  and  interefting  to  them;  however,  the  noife  of  the 
neighbouring  cooper,  who  was  repairing  the  water-cafks 
for  fea  ilore,  was  attrafting  enough'  to  allure  them  to 
his  hut. — The  agility  with  which  they  faw  this  man 
work,  the  whirling  of  the  cafkg,  the  knocking  down 
of  the  hoops,  the  found  from  within,  and  the  quicknefs 
with  which  they  perceived  a defeftive  cafle  was  brought 
round  and  perfedt,  feemed  altogether  to  impofe  on  their 
minds  a kind  of  magic  influence.  They  Hood  and  flared 
.at  one  another  with  looks  equally  expreffive  of  aftonifli- 
ment  and  pleafure.  Captain  W'ilfon  perceiving  that^  his 
vifitOTS  were  rivetted  to  whatever  they, faw,  and  that  the 
workmen  were  very  much  impeded  by  their  queftions, 
as  well  as  by  their  deflre  of  handling  every  thing,  nov/ 
ordered  a large  canvafs  to  be  fpread  on  one  fide  of  the 
■cove,  where  the  King  and  his  Chiefs  might  repofe  and 
refreih  themfelves,  and  flill  have  a view  of  our  artificers 
at  a diflance ; he  was  conducing  them  to  this  place,  acrofs 
the  cove,  when  their  eyes  caught  the , carpenters,  who 
were  bufied,  fome  in  fawing,  others  in  dubbing,  &o. 
this  was  again  frefti  matter  to  detain  them:  the  faw 
and  its  operations  were  marvellous;  .and  it  was  not  with- 
out great  difficulty  that  they  were  at  lafl  feduced  to 
the  canvafs,  w’here  fherbet  was  prepared  for  them. 
Captain  Wilfon  made  the  King  a prefent  of  a China 
mat,  which  he  appeared  to  admire,  being  different  from 
any  they  made  at  Pelew,  and  which  he  wilhed  as  a 
pattern  for  his  people  to  endeavour  to  imitate. 

When  redemption  is  the  objeft,  minutes  appear  as 
hours,  and  our  men,  with  fuch  a point  in  view,  could 
ill  afford  the  lofs  of  half  a day;  yet  no  fooncr  were  their 
guefts  retired,  but  all  their  common  attendants  fwarmed 
in  every  part,  fo  that  it  was  impoffible  to  continue  work ; 
Raa  Kook  was  therefore  petitioned  to  difperfe  them,- 
who,  by  ordering  them  down  to  the  beach,  gave  the 
different  artificers  elbow-room  to  proceed  in  their,  bufi- 
nefs. — The  King,  after  this,  took  his  leave  with  much 
good  humor,  and,  accompanied  by  all  his  retinue,  went 
{o  Jlecp  at  the  back  of  the  ifland. 

September 


THE  P E L E W I S L A N D S.  87 

September  9.  In  confequen^e  of  what  had  the  pre« 
ceding  day  been  explained  relative  to  the  fwivcl-guns, 
the  King’s  imagination  had  amply  worked  on  the  fnb- 
jeft;  he  came  over  land  with  his  train,  and  exprclled  a 
wifh  to  have  one  of  them  to  take  with  him  on  the  next 
expedition;  this  the  Captain  endeavoured  to  convince 
him  would  be  impolTible,  as  they  had  no  boats  con- 
ftrufted  in  a manner  proper  to  receive  it. — The  King 
then  reqneded  to  have  the  fix-pounder  fired. — If  they 
were  furprifed  (as  we  have  already  noticed)  at  the  dif- 
eliarge  of  a mulket,  it  may  eafily  be  imagined  in  how 
great  a proportion  tlie  report  of  this  piece  mud  have 
affeilcd  them. — During  the  time  the  gunner  was  load- 
ing it,  not  a circumftance  of  the  whole  procefs  efcaped 
their  notice;  and  when  the  lighted  match  was  brought 
and  put  to  the  train,  they  perceived  an  Inftantancous 
blaze,  which  was  fucceeded  by  a mod  violent  nolfe ; 
this  they  were  puzzled  in  the  extreme  to  comprehend^ 
and  the  more  fo,  as  in  the  difeharge  of  a mufleet  they 
had  feen  no  appearance  of  fire  applied. — The  report 
of  the  fix-pounder  feemed  to  dun  them  all,  as  every  one 
of  the  natives,  for  more  than  a quarter  of  an  hour,  kept 
his  fingers  in  his  ears,  calling  otit  Magull!  MaguU!  that 

is  to  fay.  Very  bad Pleafed  and  furprifed  as  they  were 

at  the  noife,  it  was  evidently  too  violent  for  their  or- 
gans; for  whenever  founds  uncommonly  loud  flrike  ua- 
expeftedly  on  the  drum  of  the  ear,  it  is  well  known 
they  will  occafion  temporary  deafnefs,  though  the  fame 
degree  of  found,  when  applied  to  thofe  who  are  ac- 
cuftomed  to  it,  or  prepared  to  receive  it,  will  not  vi- 
brate on  the  fenfe  with  any  particular  inconvenience. — • 
The  hooting  and  fhouting  of  the  natives,  cn  hearing 
the  explofion,  was  hardly  to  be  deferibed,  and  this  was 
increafed  by  the  accident  of  fome  of  the  w'ad  fetting  fire 
to  the  dry  leaves  of  a tree  which  projected  acrofs  the 
cove. — Having  obferved  the  ball  fall  into  the  water  at 
.a  great  dIdance,  they  were  unable  to  conceive  how  this 
effeft  could  be  produced;  what  they  had  feen  ftimulated 
dill  more  their  wilh  of  having  one  of  the  fwivels  on 
their  expedition,  as  it  would  prove  not  only  dedruftive 

to 


88  A N A C C O U N T O f' 

to  the  perfons  but  to  the  property  of  their  enemies-. — 
Raa  Kook  accompanied  the  Captain  on  the  hill  to  the 
Look-out,  and  was  furprifed  to  fee  how  much  the  ground 
had  been  cleared. — He  informed  him  of  the  names  of 
the  principal  iflands,  pointing  out  their  fituation  with 
his  hand,  though  fome  of  them  were  not  within  vie\v; 
he  told  him  that  to  the  fouthward  was  Pillelcw,  to  the 
N.  E.  Etnillcgue,  and  to  the  S.  E.  the  illand  they  were 
going  to  war  with,  which  he  faid  was  called  Artingall. — 
After  they  had  returned  from  the  hill,  the  King  was 
treated  with  flrerbet,  and  he  foon  after  went  over  land 
to  dinner,  at  the  place  w'here  his  canoes  were  ftationed, 
faying,  when  he  left  the  tents,  that  he  fhould  return 
with  his  boats  at  high-water,  by  which  it  was  fuppofed 
he  meant  at  that  time  to  take  fuch  of  the  Englifb  as 
w'cre  to  attend  him  to  the  war,  who  all  got  therafelves 
in  readinefs  accordingly. 

In  the  afternoon  fome  people  came  from  Alha  ’ThiiU 
1c,  and  renewed  their  felicitations  on  the,  fubjeft  of  the 
fwivel-gun ; every  argument  was  ufed  to  make  them  fen- 
fible  of  the  imprafiicabllity  of  rendering  it  of  any  ufe 
in  their  canoes.  Soon  after  other  of  his  men  arrived, 
bringing  a prefent  of  fome  fine  fifh.and  a turtle. — The 
King  after  came  round  himfelf,  attended  by  ten  or 
twelve  canoes. — The  requeft  of  the  fwivel  was  again 
ftrongly  urged  by  the  Ch'tef  Mintfijr,  and  our  people 
thereby  compelled  to  recur  to  all  the  arguments  betore 
made  ufe  of ; and  as  our  men  were  all  drawn  up  w'ith 
their  arais,  Mr.  Benger,  willing  to  cut  off  all  further  en- 
treaty on  the  fubjeft,  ordered  them  into  the  canoes. — 
One  very  material  objeftion  againil  complying  with  their 
defire  was,  the  great  confumption  of  powder  it  would 
occafion  ; befides  which,  the  neceflity  there  would  have 
been  of  the  Gunner’s  attendance,  who  was  too  ufeful  a 
man  to  be  fpared. 

/ lia  EhuHc  and  his  retinue  now  embarked,  and  there 
v.'as  reafon  to  fear  that  this  refufal  had  not  made  them 
depart  in  the  good-humor  that  could  have  been  wiflied. — 
Before  the  canoes  were  out  of  fight,  the  Gunner  made 
a report  of  the  arms  and  ammunition  taken  on  the  ex- 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  89 

pedition,  which  appearing  rather  large  (as  Mr.  Benger 
had  taken  piftols  and  cutlafles  unknown  to  the  Captain) 
occafioned  fome  uneafinefs,  in  the  particular  fituation 
they  at  that  time  ftood. — It  was  therefore  thought  ad- 
vrfable  to  keep  every  thing  in  a pofture  of  defence,  left 
any  further  mifunderftanding  Ihould  take  place ; the 
watch  was  well  attended  to,  and  no  caution  omitted 
which  prudence  could  fuggeft. 


CHAPTER  Xife 


TranfaSions  at  Oroolong. — The  ten  Men  return  from  the 
War.-^A  particular  Account  of  the  fecond  Battle  of  Ar- 
tingall.— of  the  neiu  Veffel^  ^c. 

Sep.  O OME  natives  came  from  the  watering-place,  by 
10.  whom  intelligence  was  brought,  that  the  ca- 
noes were  gone  down  to  Pclew,  of  which  fome  doubts 
had  been  entertained;  our  people  fuppofing  that,  as  they 
went  away  late,  they  would  only  go  to  the  back  of  the 
ifland.  Thefe  natives  foon  departed. — The  felne  was 
hauled  to-day,  without  fuccefs,  and  the  veffel  was  attend- 
ed to  with  perfeverance. 

September  11.  This  day  they  had  the  higheft  tide 
that  had  been  noticed  at  this  place.  It  was  high-water 
at  half  an  hour  paft  feven.  No  natives  were  feen  to-day. 

September  12.  The  joDy-boatwas  fent  round  to  the 
watering-place,  in  queft  of  timber ; but  there  was  fo 
high  a furf  on  the  beach  that  they  could  take  none  in. 

Some  of  our  people  got  fix  kegs  of  water,  and  went 
with  the  boat  to  colleft  cabbages  and  periwinkles,  all  the 
unpacked  beef  being  expended.  The  next  day  they  alfo 
examined  and  took  an  account  of  the  ftore  of  provifion  ; 
and,  after  confidering  the  time  they  might  probably  re- 
main on  the  ifland,  and  the  length  of  their  paffage,  they 
fet  apart  as  much  of  the  foundeft  and  bell  of  the  provi- 
fion for  the  voyage,  as  was  deemed  neceflary ; which 

H 2 was 


90  ANACCOUNTOF 

was  OH  no  account  to  be  expended.  This  evening  there 
were  hard  fqualls,  heavy  rain,  and  much  lightning. 

September  14.  The  weather  this  morning  would  not 
permit  a boat  to  go  out  of  the  harbour. — It  was  difco- 
vered  that  fome  of  the  hams  had  been  cut  the  preceding 
night ; a reward  was  offered,  of  double  allowance  of  grog 
i"or  a week,  to  any  perfon  who  would  make  the  offend- 
er known,  or  would  difcover  any  one  guilty  of  wafting 
any  kind  of  provifions ; and  that,  in  cafe  the  arrack 
fhould  be  out,  that  fuch  perfon  fhould  receive  ten  dollars 
on  the  veffel’s  arrival  at  Macoa.  This  advertifement  was 
fixed  to  a tree  in  the  dock-yard,  having  been  previoufly 
read  to  all  our  people  ; but  no  information  was  ever  ob- 
tained of  the  offender. 

September  15.  After  a night  of  wind  and  rain, 
thunder  and  lightning,  about  ten  o’clock  in  the  morn- 
ing two  canoes  came  into  the  harbour,  wherein  were 
Mr.  Benger,  M^'ilUam  Harvey,  JViUiam  Steward,  and  Wil- 
liam Roberts:  by  them  our  people  learnt  that  the  battle 
was  over,  their  companions  all  well,  and  that  they  would 
foon  follow  them.  Towards  evening  other  canoes  arriv- 
ed, with  Mr.  M.  Wilfon,  yohn  Duncan,  Nicholas  Tyacle, 
Madan  Blanchard,  Thomas  Wilfon,  and  Thomas  Dulton. 
The  canoe  which  brought  Mr.  M.  Wilfon  and  fobn 
Duncan,  had  been  overfet.  This  accident  arofe  from  a 
fqurdl  of  wind  coming  on  fo  fuddenly,  that  the  canoe 
could  not  get  Its.  fail  down  quick  enough  to  fave  it ; 
there  were  four  natives  in  it,  with  Mr.  JVilfon  and  Mr. 
Duncan.  As  the  canoe  was  going  over,  two  of  the 
men  fecured  the  two  muflvcts,  and  holding  them  In  one 
hand,  buoyed  up  Mr.  Duncan  and  Mr.  Wilfon  with  the 
other ; whilft  the  remaining  two  made  a fmall  raft  with  the 
bamboos,  ropes,  paddles,  and  pieces  of  wood  they  could 
colleft.  During  the  time  they  were  floating,  the  canoe 
righted  itfelf.  The  other  canoes  that  were  in  company- 
being  driven  to  a diftance,  with  much  difficulty  efcaped 
to  the  neareft  fhore  ; but  the  inftant  they  had  landed  our 
people,  ■ they  put  off  again,  and  took  up  Mr.  Wilfon  and 
Mr.  Duncan,  who  could  neither  of  them  fwlm  ; by  the 
time  they  were  relieved,  they  were  both  ajmoft  exhauft- 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  91 
ed,  having  been  floating  and  clinging  to  the  raft  for  the 
greater  part  of  two  hours.  Two  bayonets  and  a car- 
touch-box  were  loft  by  this  accident,  but  happily  no  life. 
Captain  Wtlfon  inftantly  rewarded  the  men  who  had  faved 
them,  by  giving  them  fome  files,  and  fome  pieces  of 
iron  to  make  hatchets. 

They  were  all  received  with  great  joy  by  their  coun- 
trymen at  Oroolong,  and  ftill  more  fo,  from  their  bring- 
ing back  with  them  the  welcome  news  of  the  King’s 
fuccefs.  But  as  this  forms  not  only  a new,  but  a very 
interefting  feene,  that  I may  lay  it  in  the  moft  circum- 
ftantial  manner  before  the  reader,  I fhall  here  paufe 
awhile,  as  the  narrator  of  thefe  events,  and  deliver  the 
account  of  this  expedition  nearly  in  the  words  in  which 
I received  it  from  Mr.  M.  Wtlfon^  who  was  himfelf  an 
a»ftor  in  the  whole  bufinefs. 

“ The  night  we  quitted  Oroolong  we  ^ot  to  Pelewt 
“ and  the  King  w'as  defirous  of  proceeding  inrmediately 
on  his  way  to  Artmgall;  but  it  proving  very  wet,  we 
“ objefted  to  it,  on  account  of  the  rain  damaging  our 
“ arras,  which  he  being  made  fenfible  of,  agreed  to  de- 
“ fer  advancing  till  the  enfuing  evening.  We  were 
“ condufted  to  the  fame  houfe  where  my  brother  and 
“ Mr.  Sharp  had  been  before  entertained,  and  where  we 
“ were  fupplied  wdth  every  accommodation  that  we 
“ could  expeft,  or  defire. 

“ On  the  evening  of  the  next  day  we  all  aflembled 
**  on  the  caufeway,  or  wharf,  where  alfo  were  the  King, 
“ Raa  Kooky  Arra  Kooker,  and  the  other  Rupacks  and 
“ great  officers ; and  we  all  went  on  board  the  canoes 
ftationed  there  to  receive  us.  We  were  followed  to 
**  the  fhore  by  a number  of  old  men,  women,  and  chil- 
“ dren,  who  appeared  to  be  drawn  together  both,  by 
“ curiofity  and  intereft.  When  the  caijoes  were  quit- 
“ ting  the  land,  a conch-fhell  was  loudly  founded,  to 
notify  our  departure  ; and  other  canoes  defpatched  to 
“ diScrent  parts  of  the  ifland,  to  colleA  various  detach- 
“ ments  which  were  lying  off  in  creeks  and  remoter 
“ places,  and' only  waited  ^e  King’s  fignal  to  join  him; 
which,  ia  ccnfequencc  of  receiving,  they  foon  did. 

« And 


92  ANACCOUNTOF 

“ And  thus  reinforced,  being^  upwards  of  two  hundreJ 
« canoes,  we  proceeded,  dunng  the  night,  towards  Ar- 
« tingall,  but  flopped,  fome  hours  before  day-light,  at 
an  ifland  fubjeft  to  Abba  Thulle,  where  we  went  on 
fliore,  upon  a wharf,  and  flept  on  the  ground  for 
« about  three  hours;  then  re-embarked,  and  palling 
“ through  a labyrinth  of  narrow  channels,  arrived  off 
Artingall  a little  before  day-break  ; here  they  all  halt- 
« ed  till  the  rifing  of  the  fun,  it  being  a maxim  with 
« the  natives  of  Pelcw,  never  to  attack  an  enemy  in 
the  dark,  or  take  him  by  furprife.  As  the  day  came 
on,  a fmall  canoe,  light-built,  containing  only  four 
“ men,  each  man  having  in  his  hair  a white  feather, 
“ fluck  upright  (and  which  were  the  long  feathers  of 
**  the  tail  of  the  tropic  bird)  fummoned  the  enemy  to 
a parley  ; the  perfon  wearing  the  white  feather  being 
regarded  in  the  nature  of  a herald,  either  bringing 
terms,  or  demanding  to  be  heard,  hoftilities  in  this 
interval  remained  fufpended. 

“ Abba  Thulle  had  previoufly  notified  to  the  King  of 
«*  Artingall,  that  he  intended  in  a few  days  to  offer  him 
battle ; fo  the  latter  was  not  unprepared  for  the 
« event.  The  enemy,  on  feeing  our  fignal  of  parley, 
« defpatched  a canoe  to  Raa  Kook;  who  demanded  to 
know  if  they  would  fubmit  to  fuch  terms  as  the  King 
« his  brother  had  propofed,  by  way  of  atoning  for  the 
injuries  he  complained  of.  The  canoe  went  back  to 
the  King  of  Artingall,  and,  having  communicated  our 
*<  propofition,  returned  with  a flat  refufal ; on  which 
the  General  informed  his  brother  that  the  enemy  was 
«<  difpofed  for  war.  The  King  then  ordered  the  conch 
to  be  founded,  and  Handing  up  in  his  canoe,  in  the 
fcarlet  coat  my  brother  had  given  him,  waved  his  chi- 
nam-ftick  in  the  air,  as  a fignal  for  the  different  fqua- 
« drons  to  arrange  themfelves  for  battle. 

« Whilft  this  was  doing,  the  enemy  alTembled  their 
canoes  clofe  under  the  land,  and  kept  blowing  their 
« conch-fliell,  as  in  deflance  of  us,  but  did  not  feem  dif- 
pofed  to  quit  the  fliore  and  attack  us.  The  ten  Eng- 
« It/h  were  divided  in  ten  different  caaoes ; the  King 
■ " « taking 


I 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  93 
**  taking  one  in  his  canoe,  the  General  another,  and  the 
**  reft  going  fingly  with  one  or  other  of  the  Rupacks, 
“ each  Engl'ijhman  having  a mulket,  cutlafs,  bayonet, 
“ and  piftol.  There  were  feveral  light  canoes,  contain- 
“ ing  four  men  each,  every  one  having  a white  feather 
“ in  his  hair,  the  fame  as  in  the  truce  canoe ; thefe 
“ were  conftantly  bufted  in  conveying  orders  from  the 
“ King  and  the  General  to  the  other  Chiefs.  They 
“ flew  from  fquadron  to  fquadron,  cutting  through  the 
“ water  with  aftoniflimg  velocity,  to  convey  command  ; 
“ and  they  were,  for  diftinftion  fake,  c^ed  by  the 
Engli/k,  the  Frigate  canoes. 

“■  The  King,  perceiving  a total  unwillingnefs  in  the 
**  enemy  to  quit  their  ftation  under  the  fliore,  and  con- 
“ ceiving  he  could  not  attack  them  in  that  fituation  with 
any  advantage,  defpatched  fome  of  the  Frigate  canoes 
“ to  order  a fquadron  to  conceal  themfelves  behind  fome 
high  land.  This  arrangement  bethg  made,  they  ex- 
**  changed  a few  diftant  fpears : — The  conch  then  was 
“ founded,  and  the  King  of  Pelew  made  a feint  to  run 
“ away,  (hewing  the  example  in  his  own  canoe,  and  be- 
ing  immediately  followed  by  the  others,  with  much. 
**  apparent  precipitancy. 

“ This  artful  manoeuvre  of  Thulle  gave  inftant 

" courage  to  the  enemy,  who,  indiiced  to  think  their 
“ antagonift  had  been  feized  with  a fudden  panic,  pre- 
“ pared  in  great  hafte  to  quit  the  (hore,  and  began  t» 
“ give  chafe  to  the  King,  who  they  imagined  w'as  fly- 
“ ing  before  them  ; upon  feeing  this,  the  detached  fqua- 
“ dron  of  canoes,  that  had  been  polled  behind  the  high 
“ land,  ru(hed  out  between  the  enemy  and  the  ifland, 
“ to  cut  off  their  retreat.  When  the  King  found  his 
“ ftratagem  had  taken  effedl,  he  turned,  and  made  a 
“ fignal  for  the  reft  of  his  fleet  to  form  themfelves  into 
“ divifions,  and  engage  ; whereupon  a general  attack 
“ took  place.  The  fpears  were  mutually  diredled  with 
“ much  animofity,  and  the  Englijh  kept  up  a continual 
“ fire,  which  not  only  did  great  execution,  but  puzzled 
“ and  bewildered  the  enemy  in  the  extreme,  to  compre- 
**  hend  how  or  why  their  people  dropped,  without  re- 

“ ceiving 


94  ANACCOUNTOF 

“ ceiving  any  apparent  blow : they  perceived  they  had 
holes  in  their  bodies,  yet  faw  no  fpear  fticking  in 
them,  nor  could  they  devife  by  what  means  they  had 
“ thus  in  a moment  become  deprived  of  motion  and 
life. 

“ There  is  not  generally  above  one  able  fpearman  In 
each  canoe,  the  reft  of  thofe  who  are  put  into  it,  be- 
“ ing  only  to  paddle,  and  guide  its  motions ; no  fooner 
“ therefore  did  the  firing  of  the  muiketS' fpread  dlfmay 
amongft  the  people  of  ylrtingall,  than  a different  ef- 
“ fed!  was  produced  in  thofe  of  Pekw:  the  moment  the 
“ report  was  made,  they  all  rofe  up  in  their  canoes,  and 
“ fet  up  fuch  hallooing  and  ftiouting,  that  the  whole  air 
“ was  filled  with  their  noife,  which  greatly  added  to  the 
tenor  of  the  enemy,  who,  finding  themfelves  unequal 
“ to  fo  powerful  an  attack,  betook  themfelves  to  flight. 
“ ^ — The  fquadron  before  mentioned  being  in  their  rear, 
“ in  fome  meafure  impeded  their  retreat,  but  not  being 
in  any  degree  equal  to  the  force  of  the  enemy,  the  great- 
er  part  of  the  people  of  ylrtwgall  were  able  to  regain 
“ their  own  ftiore.  Six  can  :es  only  were  taken,  and 
nine  prifoners,  which  they  accounted  a large  number, 
“ it  being  feldom  that  they  captured  their  enemies,  as 
“ the  vanquilhed  always  endeavour  to  carry  away  their 
“ killed  and  wounded,  that  the  vidlors  may  not  have 
“ their  bodies  to  expofe. 

“ Our  fleet  now  rode  triumphant  along  the  coaft  of 
“ Artingall,  founding  the  conch  in  defiance  of  their  ad- 
verfary,  and  firing  amongft  them  when  any  appeared 
*'  near  enough  to  be  reached  by  the  muflcets.  The  en- 
“ gagement  from  beginning  to  end  did  not  exceed  three 
“ hours ; and,  after  parading  along  their  fliorc,  and  in 
“ vain  provoking  a frefh  combat,  Abba  Thulle  ordered 
*'  the  canoes  to  make  a difpofition  to  return,  which  was 
**  foon  done,  and  we  fet  forward  towards  PeL-w. 

“ All  the  nine  prifoners  had  received  wounds  in  bat- 
“ tie  ; and.  In  fpite  of  whatever  we  could  urge  againft 
“ the  cruelty  of  putting  them  to  death,  yet  they  would 
“ hear  nothing  in  their  behalf,  and  foon  exterminated 
them.— -In  j unification  of  a proceeding  which  fo 

“ ftrongly 


T HE  PELEW  ISLANDS,  95 

" ftrongly  contradifted  the  general  humanity  of  the  na- 
“ tives  of  Pehiu,  they  alledged  the  neceffity  of  doing 
“ it  for  their  own  fecurity,  affuring  us  that  they  had 
“ formerly  only  detained  them  prifoners,  and  kept  them 
“ as  menial  fervants,  but  that  they  always  found  means 
“ to  get  back  to  their  own  country,  and  having,  by 
“ living  amongft  the  Peleiv  people,  become  well  ac» 
**  quainted  with  the  channels  and  creeks  of  the  ifiand, 
“ they  had  afterwards  made  ufe  of  that  knowledge  to 
land  frequently  by  Health,  and  commit  great  depreda- 
“ tions  ; and,  on  this  confideration,  that  ftep  which  we 
“ fo  much  condemned,  had  become  neceflary  to  them. 

“ Among  the  prifoners  was  a Rupach^  who  had  a bone 
on  his  wrift.;  the  Pek'w  people,  after  he  was  captur- 
ed,  ftrove  all  in  their  power  to  take  from  him  this 
“ mark  of  dignity,  the  Chief  defended  it  with  fingular 
“ courage,  and  loft  his  life  in  endeavouring  to  fave  kis 
“ Order.  When  brought  to  PeUiu,  his  head  was  cut 
“ off,  and  ftuck  on  a bamboo,  fixed  up  before  the 
King’s  houfe. 

“ The  canoe  which  brought  me  from  the  war  had  in 
it  two  prifoners,  one  of  whom  had  a broken  thigh, 
“ and  the  other  wounded  in  feveral  parts  by  a fpear. 
**  Their  cuftom  is,  when  they  go  to  battle,  to  trefs  their 
“ hair  in  a particular  manner,  and  to  colleft  it  in  a 
I “ great  bunch  at . the  top  of  their  head  ; but  as  foon  as 
I “ they  are  captured  they  unite  it,  pull  it  over  their 
I faces,  and  wait  with  firmnefs  and  intrepidity  the  ex- 
I “ terminating  blow,  which  they  are  fure  to  receive  from 
' “ the  hands  of  their  conquerors.  When  thefe  two  un- 
fortunate  men,  on  coming  into  the  canoe  where  I was, 
“ by  the  above-mentioned  difpofition  had  teftified  they 
“ were  prepared  for  their  fate,  the  natives  ordered  them 
i “ to  fit  down  in  the  bottom  of  the  canoe,  to  which  the 
“ one  whofe  thigh  was  broken,  fubmltted;  but  the 
“ other  being  refraftory,  refufed,  and  feemed  by  refill- 
“ ance  to  provoke  his  deftin^j,  upon  which  one  of  the 
■“  natives  haftily  fnatched  my  bayoget  from  my  fide, 
‘‘  and  plunged  it  into  his  jjgdy ; though  the  poor  fellow 

was 


96  ANACCOUNTOF 

“ W'as  a confiderable  time  bleeding  to  death,  yet  he  ne- 
ver  uttered  a fingle  groan,  or  figh. 

“ Mr.  Benger  alfo  reported,  that  he  had  by  his  en- 
treaties,  for  two  hours  faved  a wounded  prifoner, 
“ when  one  of  the  King’s  people,  who  had  been  him- 
“ felf  wounded  by  the  enemy,  happening  to  fee  him, 
“ fnatched  Soogle’s  Malay  Creefe^*  and  ftabbed  him  in- 
“ ftantly,  before  Mr.  Benger  perceived  the  blow.  This 
“ man,  a native  of  yirt'mgall,  who  had  now  for  the  firft 
“ time  feen  a white  perfon,  fubmitted  undauntedly  to 
“ his  fate ; whilft  expiring,  he  fixed  his  eyes  on  the 
“ Engli/h,  and  feemed  to  die  imprefled  with  nothing  fo 
“ much  as  the  color  of  his  new  enemy. 

" jibba  Thulle  in  his  return  to  Peleio  flopped,  and 
“ went  on  fhofe  in  feveral  fmall  iflands,  which  I under- 
“ flood  were  either  fubjeft  to  him,  or  his  allies ; ex- 
“ pofing  publicly  the  dead  bodies  of  his  prifoners  ; and 
**  the  people  at  all  thefe  places  feemed  to  rejoice  much 
at  his  vidlory,  bringing  out  fweet  drink,  and  other 
“ refrelhments. — We  could  not  learn  what  number  the 
“ enemy  loft,  but  were  confident  it  muft  have  been  con- 
“ fiderable.  Not  a fingle  perfon  of  the  King’s  party 
“ was  killed,  though  there  were  a few  wounded. 

“ It  was  dark  before  we  reached  Pelew;  on  coming 
” near  it,  the  conch  was  founded  to  notify  the  King’s 
" approach. — ^When  we  landed  at  the  wharf  from  whence 
“ we  had  departed,  a vaft  concourfe  of  people  were  rea- 
“ dy  to  receive  us,  bringing  with  them  a quantity  of 
“ refrelhments.  Here  we  flopped  till  all  were  landed 
“ and  got  together  (having  dropped  great  part  of  our 
fleet  by  the  way,  who  had  filed  off  to  their  refpedllve 
“ homes)  .and  then  went  up  to  Pelenv,  where  there  was 
“ finging  and  dancing  mott  part  of  the  night ; the  na- 
“ tives  attributing  the  fuccefs  of  the  day  to  us,  and  of- 
**  ten  in  their  fongs  repeating  the  word  Englees.  They 
“ expofed  the  dead  bodies  of  their  prifoners  feveral 
“ days,  till  they  became  moft  horribly  offenfive,  and 
“ then  they  were  either  buried,  or  thrown  into  the 
“ ffea," 

Such 


• B kind  of  dagger  ufed  by  the  Mutays. 


THE  TELEW  ISLANDS.  97 

Such  were  the  particulars  of  the  fecond  battle  of  Ar~ 
tlnga//,  as  brought  by  Mr.  M.  Wilfon,  and  confirmed  by- 
all  who  were  with  him  on  the  expedition.  By  our 
returned  countrymen,  information  was  alfo  brought,  that 
Abha  Thulle  propofed  to  pay  the  Engl'ijh  a vifit  in  four 
or  five  days.  By  what  our  countrymen  could  obferve, 
ArUngall  appeared  the  largeft  of  any  of  the  iflands. 

September  16.  The  pinnace  was  fent  after  breakfaft 
to  the  wreck,  to  fee  what  other  materials  could  be  pro- 
cured ; it  returned  in  the  afternoon,  bringing  fome  good 
plank,  and  a large  quantity  of  fpike  nails,  things  of  the 
utmoft  fervice  in  the  bufihefs  of  conftrufting  the  veffel. 

Encouraged  by  the  fuccefs  of  the  preceding  day,  the 
pinnace  again  vifited  the  wreck,  and  brought  back  more 
of  the  fame  kind  of  materials. 

September  18.  After  a llormy  night  the  day  proving 
bad,  little  could  be  done  till  afternoon,  when  the  wea- 
ther clearing,  every  hand  was  bufied  about  the  veffel. 
And  the  next  day^  the  pinnace  was  fent  round  for  the 
timber  that  had  been  cut,  almoft  a fufficiency  being  now 
procured,  the  frame  of  the  veffel  being  nearly  completed; 
this  day  a furnace  was  conftruiSed  to  heat  the 'plank, 
and  the  day  following  all  were  employ’ed  In  dubbing  the 
timbers,  and  getting  the  firft  plank  upon  her  bottom : 
more  materials  were  alfo  recovered  from  the  wreck,  to- 
gether with  five  bags  of  rice. 

September  21.  This  day  three  more  planks  were  got 
upon  the  bottom,  and  the  boats  brought  fifteen  bags  of 
rice,  which  proved  moft  acceptable ; our  people  at  this 
time,  though  undergoing  very  fevere  daily  labor,  being 
at  (hort  allowance.  The  rice  was  greatly  damaged  by- 
haring  been  long  under  water,  it  would  not  boil  to  a 
grain,  but  to  a jelly.  Yet  hunger  and  diftvefs  give  a re- 
liih  to  many  a difh,  which  in  the  lefs  adverfe  Iioiirs  of 
life,  the  faucy  appetite  would  look  on  with  difdain  ! 

I 


CHAPTER 


98 


.4  ■ * 

ANA  C C*b  U N T O F 
CHATTER  XIV. 


Projr^s  of  the  V ffel,  and  other  Occurrences. — Raa  Kook 
comes  from  Pelew  to  folicit  more  Men,  and  a S-wtvel  Gun, 
to^  attend  the  King  on  a grand  Expedition. — ^fter  fome 
Explanation  between  Captain  Wilfon  and  the  General,  the 
liequejl  is  granted,  and  the  allotted  Men  return  with  Raa 
Kook. — Mr.  Sharp  goes  fome  Days  after  to  Pelpw,  to 
fee  the  General’s  Son,  who  had  been  wounded  in  the  fecond 
Battle. — Arrives  jujl  after  his  Countrymen  had  returned 
from  the  grand  Expedition,  in  which  this  youn^  Man, 
whom  he  went  to  vifit,  had  been  hilled. — Aitetids  Raa 
Kook  to  his  Son’s  Funeral,  of  which  an  Account  is  given. 

Sep.  T T was  a great  confolation  to  our  countrymen 
2 2.  that  the  Antelope  fliU  remained  unfeparated,  as 
many  ufeful  things  were  occafionally  procured  from  her. 

In  the'  afternoon  Tom  Rofe,  wiio  had  been  left  after 
the  engagement,  by  the  King’s  delire,  to  give  him  more 
particular  information  concerning  the  Englijh  than  he 
had  Iiitherto  obtained,  came  up  from  Pelew,  bringing 
with  him  a prefent  from  Abba  Ehulle  of  a quantity  of 
yams,  and-  a jar  of  molaffes,  and  at  the  fame  time  was 
charged  to  exprefs  to  Captain  Wilfon  and  his  officers,  his 
hope  that  they  would  not  take  it  amifs  that  he  had  not 
as  yet  paid  them  his  intended  vilit,  owing  to  his  having 
been  detained  at  Pelew  by  the  great  number  of  thofe 
who  were  come  to  pay  their  compliments  to  him  from 
the  other  iflands,  on  account  of  his  late  viftory,  and  that 
had  he  come,  they  would  all  have  attended  him.  Some 
of  them  having'  expreffed  a defire  of  accompanying  him 
to  fee  the  Engli/h,  he  had  dilTuaded  them  from  it,  re- 
prefenting  to  them  that  the  ifland  being  very  fmall,  it 
would  not  afford  fufficient  water  for  fo  many,  and  that 
their  vifit  would  neceffarily  put  the  Engl'fl)  to  great  in- 
convenience. 

TJrtte 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  -9<) 

There  appears  to  be  a fingular  attention  paid  by  th(r 
King  to  our  people,  in  this  as  well  as  on  every  occafion. 
His  mind  feemed  to  be  as  confidcrate  as  it  was  liberal. 
He  had  undoubtedly  obferved  how  much  the  cunofity  f 
of  his  own  attendants,  whenever  he  went  to  Orookng,  in- 
evitably impeded  our  people’s  operations,  and  forefaw 
in  how  dill  greater  a degree  the  crowding  in  of  fo  n^ 
ny  ftrangers  would  add  to  their  didrefs ; theieft^,’,  as 
the  bufinefs  of  thefe  drangers  at  this  tunc  was  me^ftly  to 
pay  their  court  to  him,  fo  by  remaining  with  them  at 
Pelviu  he  precluded  them  from  tedifying  any  filrthcr. 
widi  on  tills  head.  Yet  whild  he  managed  this  matter  fo 
well  for  the  fervice  of  the  Engnjl,  his  delicacy  was  hurt, 
led,  by  not  coming  to  exprefs  his  acknowledgments  for 
their  late  ferriccs  fo  foon  as  he  had  promifed,  they  might 
be  indiitcd  to  impute  to  him  a forgetfulnefs  of  thole 
obligations  he  felt  he  had  to  them. 

The  pinnace  having  been  fent  this  day  to  the  wreck,, 
at  her  return  in  the  evening  brought  fixtecn  more  bags 
of  rice,  and  alfo  information  that  the  King  lir.d  tent  h:s 
canoes  thither,  and  had  carried  away  one  of  the  fix- 
pounders. 

September  23.  About  noon  to-day  there  was  a hea- 
vy fquall  from  the  northward,  accompanied  with  hard, 
rain  and  much  lightning  fi'om  the  eadward. 

September  24.  The  planking  of  the  vcfiel  wms  now- 
forwarded  with  great  alliduity  ; they  broygh'&from  the 
wreck  this  day  a quantity  of  nails  and  fomc  fillets  t^cop- 
per ; it  having  been  in  contemplation  to  Ihealh  the  bot- 
tom of  their  new  vefiel,  which  was  not  above  ope  ItAtli 
of  the  fize  of  the  Antelope ; but  this  idea  w’as  very  focu 
abandoned,  for  want  of  a fufficiency  of  copper  nails  to 
elfed  the  purpofe. — No  canoes  were  feen  on 'board  to- 
day, but  a prodigious  furf  broke  upon  the  reef. 

September  25.  Nothing  occured  but  tlie  continued 
progrefs  of  the  velTel. — Next  day  the  jolly-boat  was  fent 
to  iidi,  but,  without  fuccefs.  .It  was  fingular  that  this 
was  always  the  cafe  ; whether  our  countrymen  knew  not 
the  proper  places  to  go  to,  or  the  proper  bait,  but  every 
attempt  of  this  kind  proved  fruitlefs, 

September 


loo  anaccountof 

September  27.  One  canoe  came  to  the  ifland  to-day, 
and  brought  yams  and  cocoa-nuts ; more  copper  was  got 
irom  the  wreck,  and  a conliderable  quantity  of  nails. 

September  28.  Raa  Kooh  arrived  at  Oroolong  in  the 
evening,  accompanied  by  two  fli'angers  of  rank,  whom 
it  was  afterwards  known  were  Chiefs  of  fome  of  the 
neighbouring  iilands ; they  came  in  three  canoes,  arrd 
prefents  of  yams,  cocoa-nuts,  and  three  jars  of 
molalfes.  Our  people  had  been  all  the  day  bulled  about 
the  veffel,  and  were  juft  then  going  to  prayers  ; all  the 
people  attended  the  fervice,  and  behaved  with  the 
greateft  decency : one  or  two  of  them  happening  to 
fpcak,  Raa  Kook  checks  them  j and  they  afterwards 
obferved  ftrift  filence. — ^^Vhile  at  prayers,  the  Malay, 
Soogle,  arrived  from  Peh<w  with  a melTage  to  the  Gene- 
ral from  jibba  Phulle,  and  coming  into  the  tent  was  go- 
ing to  deliver  it ; but  Raa  Kooh,  unwilling  that  the 
Englifh  Ihould  be  interrupted,  made  a motion  with  his 
hand  to  keep  filence,  till  the  Captain  (to  whom  he  point- 
ed) had  done  reading.  After  prayers,  having  received 
the  meffage,  he  and.*lie  ftrangers  entered  into  converfa- 
tion  with-  Captain  Witfon  and  his  officers,  and  after  fome 
time  the  General  allced  for  fifteen  men,  and  one  of  the 
fwivd-guns,  to  go  with  them  on  another  expedition.— 
The  King,  flulhed  with  the  advantages  he  had  already 
gained  by  the  frienddiip  of  his  new  allies,  feemed  de- 
llrous  to  profit  by  their  aid,  and  avenge  himfelf  of  all 
his  •enemies. — Captain  WHjon  thought  this  a favorable 
opportunity  to  mention  to  the  General  fuch  things  as 
he  conceived  h^  had  a right  to  complain  of  j find,  re- 
fpefting  the  coolnefs  with  which  they  had  gone  away  on 
the  laft  expedition  to  ArtingalU  and  Ihewed  him  an  emp- 
ty cartouch-box,  to  let  him  fee  how  much  he  was  in 
M ant  of  that  paper  which  fome  of  the  canoes  had  car- 
ried off  from  the  ftilp. — He  alfo  complained  that  it  had 
been  fuggefted  to  his  people  when  at  Peleiv,  by  the 
Malay,  that  whenever  the  King  appeared,  the  fame  ex- 
ternal marks  of  homage  were  expedted  from  them  as 
were  paid  him  by  his  own  fubjedls,  and  that  this  was  a 
matter  which  liad  much  dillurbed  the  Engli/h;  he  like- 


THE  P'EEE:W  islands.  ici 

wife  informed  the  General,  that  the  Engiyh  could  ncvei 
confent  to  go  again  to  war  with  his  brother , if  he  meant 
to  put  their  priloners  to  death,  as  it  was  contrary  to 
the  nature  and  cuftom  of  their  nation  to  hurt  any  who 
had  fubmitted  to  their  power ; and  finifhed,  by  adding 
a word  or  two  on  the  fubjeft  of  one  of  the  fix-pounders 
having  been  carried  away  from  the  fliip,  3ud  exprelfing 
an  apprehenfion  that  fome  mifunderftanding  mull  have 
arifen,  by  their  fending  our  people  home  without  ?.nj 
of  the  Chiefs  or  Rupachs  to  accompany  them,  by  which 
inattention  his  brother  with  another  man  were  near  be- 
ing drowned ; and  fome  arms  alfb  were  loft,  notwitli- 
ftanding  the  utmoft  endeavours  of  the  boatmen. 

The  Genercd  being  come  to  make  this  requeft  of  the 
men  and  fwivel  for  this  third  expedition  (which  was  in- 
tended to  be  a very  formidable  one)  appeared  exceeding- 
ly hurt  at  hearing  all  thefc  matters,  efpecially  as  there 
were  two  ftrangers  of  rank,  who  had  accompanied  him  ; 
and  being  alfo  perfuaded  that  the  attachment  of  our 
people  to  him  was  in  every  refpeft  as  warm  as  his  own, 
he  had  not  a doubt  but  that  he  could  prevail  on  them, 
to  grant  the  fwivel,  although  it  had  been  refufed  be- 
fore : — what  then  muft  his  difappointment  liave  been, 
when,  inftead  of  having  his  wifti  complied  with  as  he 
expefted,  he  heard  nothing  but  complaints ! His 
countenance',  more  exprelSve  than  words,  avowed  what 
his  feelings  were,  and  the  expreflive  looks  which  hq,cafl: 
on  Captain  Wtlfon  and  his  officers,  fo  ftrongly  operated 
on  their  friendfhip,  that  they  willingly  liftened  to  his  ex- 
planations. 

He  broke  filence,  by  afluring  the  Captain  he  would! 
make  him  and  his  people  perfeftly  eafy  in  every  parti- 
cular circumftance. — He  began  with  the  paper  and  car- 
touch-boxes  (fearing  probably  they  had  not  ammunition 
ready  for  the  expedition;)  he  affured  them  that  every 
endeavour  had  been  ufed  to  get  the  paper  that  had  been 
carried  av/ay  from  the  (hip,  but  there  was  none  to  be 
found,  as  what  had  been  taken  on  ftiore  by  the  natives 
being  thoroughly  wet,  dropped  to  pieces  in  their  hands, 
and  wa3  therefore  thrown  away  as  ufelefs.  — He  faid  the 
I 2-  w'hl'c. 


102 


AN  ACCOUNT  O F 

^vhite^  ilufF  (meaning  the  long-cloth  given  to  the  King 
and  himfelf,  and  to  ylrra Kooher ) was  neverthclefs  whole, 
and  Ihciild  be  given  back  to  them  to  make  cartridges. — 
j.  hat  with  regard  to  their  going  away  abruptly,  that 
was  foleiy  owing  to  Mr.  Bengtr's  hade  to  put  the  men 
into  the  canoes.  As  to  their  fending  the  Englijh  back  in 
bad  weather,  without  any  Chiefs,  that  alfo  was  occafion- 
ed  by  Mr.  Bengtr's  anxiety  to  return;  that  they  had 
ilrongly  folicited  him  to  defer  it  till  the  weather  became 
more  fettled,  and  other  canoes  were  got  ready. — ide 
fiid  it  had  not  been  always  their  ufage  to  put  their  pri- 
feners  to  death,  but  they  had  been  lately  obliged  to  do 
fo  from  neceffity,  as  feme  of  them  had  efcaped  home, 
and  returning  had  treacheroufly  done  them^great  mif- 
chief ; but  affured  the  Captain  that  in  future  they  fhould 
be  all  given  up  to  the  Englijb  to  do  with  them  what- 
ever they  pleafed.  — That  refpefting  the  great  gun 
taken  from  the  fhip,  he  had  in  comraiffion  from  the 
King  to  tell  them  of  it; — that  Ahla  Thullty  willing  to 
keep  the  Grangers  that  were  vifiting  him  from  interrupt- 
ing the  Englijh,  had  given  them  an  account  of  the  ef- 
fect produced  by  their  fmall  arms,  but.  Hill  more  to 
furprife  them,  wifhed  to  convey  to  them  fome  idea  of 
the  havock  that  might  be  made  with  one  of  our  weapons; 
that  he  had  therefore  fent  for  one  to  (hew  them,  and 
that  the  King  had  defired  the  General  to  fay  it  fhould 
now  be  fent  back. — And  laftly,  as  to  his  brother  expell- 
ing any  perfonal  reverence  from  Captain  Wilfon's  people, 
he  abfolutely  difavowed  any  fuch  idea  having  pver  been 
entertained  by  the  King;  that  it  was  a millake,  or  a 
jnifconccpticn,  nor  ever  could  have  been  wilhed  or  de- 
fjied  *. 

Thefe 


♦ This  mifunderftanding  had  been  occaConed  folely  by  the 
Malay.  This  mful  fellow  probably  found,  that  the  intereft  he 
had  with  the  King  had  declined  in  proportion  as  our  people  be- 
came more  neceffary  to  him,  and  therefore  had  fet  his  brains  ta 
work  to  awaken  diftruft.  amongft  them  ; in  confequence  of  this, 
be  had  fuggefted  this  pretended  rtquiQtion  to-  the  King,  fu^- 

pofing 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  103 

Thefe  matters  being  now  fatisfa6loriIy  fettled,  Cap* 
tain  IVHfon  took  his  officers  out,  to  confult  with  them 
•on  the  requeft;  when  it  was  judged  right  to  confent  to 
their  having  the  fwivel-gun  and  ten  men,  but  no  more. 
'1  his  being  refolved  on,  he  returned  into  tlie  tent,  and 
acquainted  Raa  Kook  with  the  determination ; which 
pleafed  him  much,  and  they  all  went  to  fupper  with  our 
people  in  great  good-humor. 

After  fupper  the  General  informed  Mr.  Sharp,  that 
his  fon  had  in  the  laft  battle  been  wounded  in  the  foot 
by  a fpear,  but  that  he  would  fpeak  to  him  further  on 
this  matter  the  next  morning. — As  his  two  friends,  the 
Rupacks,  then  wanted  to  go  to  reft,  he  rcquefted  that 
he  might  ^ake  them  to  fleep  in  the  veffel,  as  the  tent 
was  too  fmall  for  them.  The  fucceeding  day  the  Gene- 
ral again  mentioned  to  Mr.  Sharp  his  fon’s  accident ; he 
informed  him,  that  part  of  the  fpear  was  broken  in  his 
foot,  and  could  not  be  extrafted;  requefting  that  he 
would  go  down  to  Pelew,  to  fee  if  it  was  poffible  to 
draw  it  out.  Mr.  Sharp  underftanding  that  the  young 
man’s  foot  was  greatly  fwelled,  and  had  been  fomented, 
wifhed  that  the  fomentation  might  be  continued,  as  the 
beft  means  to  abate  the  fweUing;  acquainting  the  Ge- 
neral, that  having  three  of  their  beft  men  very  ill,  it 
would  be  out  of  his  power  to  accompany  him  that  day 
to  Pelew,  but  as  foon  as  they  were  better,  he  would 
immediately  attend  him. 

Mr.  Sharp  inquired  of  fame  of  our  people  who  had 
been  in  the  battle,  by  what  means  the  youth  had  receiv- 
ed this  wound;  and  learnt  that  the  fpear  having  been 
flung  into  his  foot,  by  trjdng  to  pull  it  out,  they  had 
broken  it  ftiort  off ; that  the  natives  then  applied  a cord, 
faftened  to  the  end  of  the  fpear  which  remained  in  his  foot, 

' and 

pofmg  it  would  difpleafe  the  EngUfi,  though  in  reality  they  never 
thcnifelves  had  the  fmalleft  reafon  to  fuppofe  fuch  a wilh  in  the 
King;  and  from  the  low  cunning  they  found  this  Malay  guilty 
of,  they  readily  gave  him  credit  for  a contrivance  to  make  the 
King  and  our  people  mutually  jealous  of  each  other ; and  there 
■was  caufe  to  believe  he  was  under  difgrace  on  account  of  tiu» 
tjanTjclioc,  as  he  was  no;  Yihble  for  many  days  after. 


104  ANACCOUNTOF 

and  had  exerted  great  ftrength  to  extraifl  it,  but  the 
barb  of  the  fpear  having  been  forced  between  the  fmali 
bones,  the  inflammation  and  fwelling,  which  immediate- 
ly took  place,  rendered  every  effort  ineffedfu^ ; and  they 
would  more.ealily,  in  the  ftate  the  limb  was,  have  pulled 
off  his  foot  than  have  drawn  oat  the  fraftured  ipear. 
A native,  reputed  to  be  fldlled  in  thefe  matters,  was 
then  fummoned  to  infpeft  tlrs  wound;  who,  with  a fmall 
knife,  which  he  had  got  from  the  wreck,  began  to  cut 
away  the  flefh,  in  order  to  lay  the  bone  bare  ; but  being 
probably  prevented  finifhing  the  operation,  from  the  ef- 
fullon  of  blood,  after  mangling  the  foot,  they  reforted 
to  their  accuftomed  method  of  fomentation,  which  they 
were  puvfuing  (as  the  General  faid)  when  he  left  Pelew, 
About  noon  Raa  Kook  went  from  Oroolong,  taking  with 
him  the  following  men,  and  alfo  the  fwivel-gun,  for  the 
third  expedition,  viz.  Mr.  Cummin,  Mr.  M.  Wilfon, 
John  Blanch  the  gunner,  John  Moal,  James  Swift, 
Nicholas  Tyacke,  Madan  Blanchard,  P homos  Whitejield, 
Thomas  Wilfon,  and  Thomas  Dulton.  Mr.  Devis  accom- 
panied them  as  a volunteer. — This  expedition  appeared 
to  be  of  great  confequence,  as  all  the  neighbouring  Ru- 
packs  were  this  time  to  attend  the  King;  whereas  on  the 
two  former  expeditions  he  had  none  but  his  own  fubjefts 
with  him,  except  the  Englijb. 

September  30.  The  veflel  was  now  fo  far  advanced,  that 
having  planked  her  up  aslrlgh  asthebends,in  theafternoon- 
they  began  to  trench  under  her  bottom,  in  order  to  plank 
to  the  keel;  this  had  like  to  have  been  deftruftive  to  all 
their  labors,  for  the  tide,  in  the  beginning  of  the  night, 
rifing  higher  than  ufual,  broke  into  the  trench,  and  had 
nearly  wafhed  away  the  blocks  from  under  the  veflel  j 
but  the  accident  was  providentially  difcovered  in  time, 
and  all  hands  inftantly  went  to  work,  with  the  utmoft 
expedition,  to  fill  up  the  trench,  and  fecure  the  veflel 
from  falling  off  the  flocks,  which  kept  them  employed 
until  near  morning,  when  they  found  the  danger  far 
greater  than  what  even  they  had  fuppofed,  for  fome  of 
the  blocks  having  been  difplaced  by  the  water,  they  were 
obliged  to  get  wedges  aud  fet  her  up,  in  order  to  reln- 

ftate 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  lo^ 
ftate  them,  and  get  her  once  more  fecured;  which  being 
accompliihed,  they  contrived  a bank  or  dam  to  keep 
out  the  tide.  This  accident  was  the  more  unlucky,  aa 
three  of  their  beil  workmen  were  then  ill,  which,  with 
the  abfcnce  of  thofe  gone  to  the  war.  ma<^  the  labor 
fall  heavier  on  tlie  reft. — It  may  not  be  nnnecefTary, 
perhaps,  to  give  an  account  how  this  bank,  to  keep  out 
the  tide,  was  formed. — The  pinnace  was  laid  a-ground, 
diredfly  before  the  veftel,  where  they  wilhed  to  liop  the 
tide  ; two  holes  were  bored  in  her  bottom,  and  ftie  was 
filled  with  ftones,  in  order  to  fink  her  ; at  about  a foot 
diftance  oppofite  the  pinnace,  was  raifed  a dry  wall  of 
large  ftones,  which  was  carried  round  each  fide  of  the 
velTel  beyond  high-water  mark;  it  was  lined  on  the  in- 
fide  witli  fmall  branches  and  twigs,  faftencd  with  flakes 
and  ftones,  to  prevent  their  waftiing  away  ; fund  was 
then  thrown  on  thefe  branches,  which,  all  together, 
compofed  a bank  of  four  or  five  feet  thick;  and  was 
continued  quite  round  the  infide  of  the  wall,  and  before 
the  pinnace  it  was  made  ftrongeft,  as  having  the  greateft 
weight  of  water  to  relift.  When  finilhed,  it  effedtually 
kept  out  the  tide,  and  required  no  further  trouble,  thaa 
occafionally  to  throw  a few  balkets  of  fand  upon  fuch. 
parts  of  the  wall  as  fettled  by  the  walh  of  the  tide. 
By  thefe  various  employments,  it  was  not  till  Thurfday, 
the  fecond,  in  the  afternoon,  that  they  could  get  their 
dam  completed.  In  a manner  to  be  perfe6Uy  fecure ; 
this  accomplKhed,  they  again  dug  the  trench,  and  the 
carpenter  got  one  of  the  planks  of  the  garboard  ftrake 
on.  The  jolly-boat,  being  fitted  with  fails,  was  fent 
to  Peleiu  for  provifions ; and,  the  three  fick  men,  being 
much  recovered,  the  Captain  defired  Mr.  Sharp  to  take 
his  Inftruments,  and  go  in  her,  to  fee  if  he  could  ren- 
der any  fervice  to  Raa  Kooh's  fon. 

In  the  abfence  of  fo  many  people,  the  bufinefs  of  the 
dock-yard  was  much  impeded ; it  was  neverthelefs  fol- 
lowed up  with  every  poffible  diligence  by  the  kv/  Ei:g- 
lyhmen  remaining  at  Orcolong,  who,  befide  the  fick,  were 
only  twelve  in  all;  the  Chinefs  were  employed  in  repair- 


A ACCOUNT  OF 

TB"  the  hank,  bringing  down  timber  from  the  wood?, 
and  fuch  otlicr  ufefiil  work  as  they  were  capable  of. 

Oftober  3.  The  weather  was  Very  variable  about  this 
time,  with  much  lightning  from  the  eaftward,  accom- 
panied wit^frcq|jent  fqualls  and  hard  rain. 

Since  tHvkfl  new  moon,  the  tides  were  obfcrved  yy 
be  remarkably  Jii^h.*,  • The  morning  Odes  were  very  low, 
and  ebbed  very  little;  whereas  the  evening 
high,  and  ebbed  a long  way  out,  leaving  the  narbour 
quite  dry. 

Odlober  6.  1 he  day  opened  dark  and  gloomy,  with 

much  thunder,  lightning,  and  continued  rain,  fo  that 
they  could  not  go  out  of  the  tents  to  work  before  noon. 
They  were  very  uneafy  on  account  of  the  jolly-boat  be- 
ing abfent  fo  much  longer  than  they  expedfed,  as  alfo 
at  not  hearing  of  the  fuccefs  of  the  expedition  ; but 
were  relieved  from  their  anxiety  about  one  o’clock,  by 
the  arrival  of  the  jolly-boat,  which  had  left  Pelew  on 
Saturday  morning,  having  been  detained  by  the  bad 
weather  at  the  fmall  ifiandtill  this  morning,  from  whence 
they  came  away  at  day-light ; they  brought  the  wel- 
come intelligence,  that  all  our  people  were  well  at  P(- 
Liv,  Jiaviim  returned  from  the  expedition  on  the  Wed- 
nefday  nightj^ieceding,  in  which  they  proved  fuccefsful. 
They  reported,  tfejs  to  have  been  tlie  fevereft  aftion  of 
any  yet.foii^ht,  near  fix  hours;  the  people  of 

yirtingcill,  acting  ft  he  defenfive,  behaved  with  great 
refolutibn.  Thc  king  detained  our  people,  and  the  Ru- 
pachs  who  accompanied  him  on  the  expedition,  at  Pek-jj, 
in  order  to  entertain  them  with  feafling  and  dancing ; 
and  fent  in  the  boat  fome  yarns  and  provifion,  as  alfo 
the  fwivel,  which  they  reported  had  done  much  execu- 
tion. Abba  Phulbe  returned  by  Mr.  Sharp  the  fhip’s  cop- 
pers; this  rvas  indeed  a great  acquifition  to  our  people, 
who  were  in  great  want  of  them  to  boil  their  provifiom, 
having  hitherto  been  obliged  to  drefs  it  in  fome  little 
kettles  and  faucepans,  and  defpaired  of  ever  regaining 
the  coppers,  which  had  been  cai  vied  away  by  the  na- 
tives at  their  firft  vifiting^flig  wreck.  Complaint  of  their 
want  of  them  had  been  made  to  Raa  KooL  and  h^ 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  107 

I no  doubt,  acquainted  the  King  therewith,  w’lo'^ave 
orders  for  diligent  inquiry  to  be  made  aftei:  them, -and, 
difeovering  where  they  were  fecreted,  had  now  returned 
them  to  the  Engli/Io  by  the  jolly-boat ; — eviucing  tjjis,  as 
well  as  by  every  other  part  of  his  conduct,  tl*%generofity 
of.his  difpofjtiWn,  not  allowing  his  peoplf  to  detain  from 
I cur  countrymen  any  thing  that  had  +>ee»i  once  thelr^pro- 
I perty,  however  valuable  it  might  bp  iii  the  eftimation  of 
the  natives. 

Mr.  Sharp  gave  the  following  account  of  his  vlfit  to 
Peletu: — That  he  got  there  about  noon  on  the  day  he 
left  Oroolong,  and  landing,  went  Immediately  towards 
the  General’s  houfe,  who  feeing  him,  carae  out  to  meet 
him  with  a vifible  concern  on  his  countenance.  Mr. 
Sharp  immediately  told  him  the  purport  of  his  vifif. 
Clewing  him  the  inftruments  he  had  brought,  which  he 
told  him  he  hoped  might  be  of  much  afliftance  to,  his 
fon’s  complaint;  he  bowed,  and  alTumed  a more  placid 
■ look,  as  if  fenfibly  touched  with  this  mark  of  attention. 
He  defired  Mr.  Sharp  to  follow  him,  and  led' him  to 
the  Engiyb  houfe,  around  which  he  met  all  his  country- 
men, and  where  was  alfo  the  King,  the  Chief  'Minfler^ 
together  with  feveral  of  the  Rupacks,  fitting  on  the  laige 
pavement  before  the  houfe  allotted  to  our  people.  He 
went  direftly  to  pay  his  refpedts  to  the  King  and  the 
Rupacks.  The  purpofe  of  Mr.  Sharp's  coming  being’ 
known,  he  was  informed  by  the  Chief  Minijler,  that 
during  the  time  Raa  Kook  was  at  Oroolong,  tTie  fomenta- 
tion had  occafioned  the  fwelling  to  fubfide,  and  that 
tliey  had  extradted  the  fpear  from  the  bottom  of  the 
foot,  by  forcing  it  through;  and  that  the  youih  (wlo 
was  about  eighteen,  and  inherited  all  the  fpirit  and  in* 
trepidity  of  the  father)  finding  that  though  he  con’d 
not  walk,  yet  that  he  was  able  to  Hand  up  in  a canoe, 
and  throw  a fpear,  infifted  that  he  would  go  on  this, 
expedition,  which  they  expedted  would  be  fuccefsful, 
from  the  circumflance  of  their  having  the  fwlvel,  whit  h 
•they  had  before  fo  much  fet  their  hearts  on  ; but  that  veiy 
■early  in  the  engagement, this  gallant  youth,  eagerly  endea- 
vouring to  get  up  clofe  to  the.  Ihore,  received  a dart  in 
^ his 


to8  ANACCOUNTOF 

his  body,  which  entering  between  the  throat  and  clavicle, 
he  dropped  and  died  inftantly. 

After  Mr.  Sharp,  and  thofe  who  came  with  him,  had 
partook  of  feme  refrefhment,  which  was  brought  out 
for  them,  Raa  Kook,  who  was  now  returned,  came  up  to 
Mr.  Sharp  and  the  boatfwain,  who  was  a favorite  of  his, 
and  defired  they  would  follow  him,  which  they  did  to 
the  water-lide,  wheie  they  faw  a very  large  canoe,  with 
only  two  in  it.  He  then  informed  them,  he  waited  for 
fome  people,  whom  he  expefted  to  have  found  there. 
Soon  after  twenty-one  Rupacks  appeared,  who  were  en- 
tire ftrangers  to  Mr.  Sharp,  but  who  had  alTifted  yibba 
Thulle  in  his  laft  expedition ; Raa  Kook  defired  Mr.  Sharp 
and  the  boatfwain  to  go  into  the  canoe  firll,  and  a good 
deal  of  ceremony  pafled  among  the  Rupacks,  to  fettle 
who  ftiould  go  in  the  laft. — No  kind  of  intimation  was 
given  w'hither  they  were  going,  however  it  was  foon 
perceived  that  they  were  direfting  their  courfe  to  the 
little  ifland  oppofite  to  Peleiu,  about  three  or  four  miles 
diftant  from  it,  and  where  they  had  ftopped  when  they 
firft  accompanied  the  General  from  Oroalong.  On  land- 
ing, he  took  them  a little  way  up  the  country,  where 
there  was  a fquare  pavement,  furrounded  by  four  or  five 
houfes,  whidi  appeared  to  be  uninhabited,  as  no  peo- 
ple were  moving  about,  and  the  grafs  was  growing  be- 
tween the  ftones  of  the  pavement.  After  being  feated, 
Raa  Kook  defpatched  one  of  his  attendants  on  a meffage, 
Mr.  Sharp  and  the  boatfwain  remaining  ftrangers  to  the 
purport  of  this  invitation. — Our  Surgeon,  who  had  be- 
fore ftiewn  his  watch  to  Raa  Kook,  and  fully  explained  to 
him  its  utility  and  defign,  perceiving  they  were  all  very 
filent  and  grave,  and  recolle£ling  how  much  this  little 
•machine  had  entertained  the  General’s  curiofity,  pulled 
it  out  again,  and  put  it  into  his  hands,  that  he  might 
fhew  it  to  the  Rupacks,  and  communicate  to  them  how 
exaftly  the  Englt/h  were  able,  by  it,  to  meafure  the  di- 
vlfion  and  lapfe  of  time  ; they  appeared  to  be  all  won- 
derfully aftonilhed  at  the  account  he  gave  them  of  its 
ufe  and  power,  and  not  a little  at  hearing  it  tick. — It 
was  near  an  hour  bcfole  the  meffenger  rqtumed,  when 


the  P E L E W islands.  IC9 

the  General  conducted  them  to  the  town,  which  was 
about  half  a mile  diftant;  they  arrived  at  another  fquai  e 
pavement,  furrounded  by  a number  of  houfes;  in  the 
middle  of  this  fquare  were  quantities  of  yams  and  co- 
coa-nuts, in  piles,  w'ith  fweet  drink  and  fliaibet;  and 
on  the  outfide  of  the  pavement  was  feated  a great  con- 
courfe  of  people  of  both  fexes.  On  Raa  Kooh  and  the 
Rupach  appearing,  they  all  refpecVfully  rofe  \ip.  The 
General  and  his  friends  being  feated,  the  attendants 
ferved  out  the  provifions,lirft  to  the  General  and  his  guefts, 
and  then  to  the  people  who  were  placed  round.  It  v/as 
obferved,  that  all  the  women  who  were  in  the  crowd  at 
the  General’s  arrival,  as  foon  as  the  refrclhments  were 
handed  about,  withdrew;  and,  wliat  was  very  remarka- 
ble, all  the  cocoa-nuts  which  were  brought  on  this  oc- 
cahon,  were  old  nuts,  whereas  it  had  never  been  ufual 
at  other  entertainments  to  fee  any  but  young  ones;  how- 
ever they  took  aw'ay  the  old  ones  which  were  placed 
before  the  Engltjh,  and  fet  young  ones  in  their  room. 

When  this  repaft,  -which  was  eaten  in  the  moll  pro- 
found filence,  was  nearly  ended,  there  was  heard  at  fomc 
diftance  the  lamentation  of  women  ; Raa  Kook  touched 
Mr.  Sharp,  who  was  fitting  next  to  him,  on  the  arm., 
and  without  fpeaking,  made  figns  to  hin?  with  his  hand 
to  go  and  fee  what  had  occafioned  this  dillrcfs ; he  and 
the  boatfwain  both  rofe  up,  and  diredlly  went  to  the 
place  whence  thefe  founds  of  forro-w  feemed  to  proceed, 
when  they  perceived  a great  number  of  women  follow- 
ing a dead  body,  which  was  tied  up  in  a mat,  and  laid 
on  a kind  of  bier  formed  of  bamboos,  in  fhape  not  un- 
like a chairman’s  horfe,  and  fupported  on  the  Ihoulders 
of  four  men,  no  other  males  but  the  bearers  attendintr. 
Mr.  Sharp  and  his  companion  were  now  perfefUv  fatis- 
ficd  that  this  muit  be  the  funeral  of  Raa  Kook's  fon, 
yet  were  much  puzzled  to  know  why  it  liad  been  co.n- 
dudfed  fo  filently,  and  that  not  a wVud  or  hint  had  been 
mentioned  to  them  on  the  matter;  whether  it  was  from 
that  determined  fimuiefs  of  mind  which  was  armed  againlt 
human  weaknefs,  or  from  w'hatever  other  motive,  re- 
mained then,  and  Itill  mull  lemain,  uncertain. — They 
^ K arrived 


no  AN  ACCOUNT  OF 

arrived  at  the.  place  of  burial  juft  as  the  people  were 
fetting  down  the  bier,  and  laying  the  body  in  the  grave 
prepared  for  it. — The  corpfe  was  depofited  without  any 
ceremony  ; the  men  who  had  carried  it  began  immedi- 
ately, with  their  hands  and  feet,  to  throw  the  earth  over 
it  and  fill  up  the  grave,  whilft  the  women  knelt  down, 
aiM  with  loud  cries  feemed  as  if  they  would  tear  it  up 
again,  unwilling  to  be  deprived  of  the  laft  fight  of  a 
loved  objedl,  which  death  had  fnatched  from  them. — A 
heavy  rain  coming  on,  drove  fome  of  the  people  away, 
as  it  did  our  two  countrymen,  to  the  firft  Ihelter  they 
could  obtain. 

When  it  cleared  up  they  returned  to  Raa  Kooh  and 
the  Rupach,  who  had  alfo  fiieltered  themfelves  from  the 
weather.  The  evening  advancing,  and  proving  tem- 
pdluous,  they  could  not  return  to  Pekiv. — Mr.  Sharp 
and  his  companion,  with  fome  of  the  Rupacks,  flept  at 
the  General’s  houfe  ; the  remainder  of  the  company  were 
provided  for  in  other  contiguous  buildings. 

Previous  to  their  departure,  the  next  morning,  for  the 
King’s  ifland,  Raa  Kook  took  Mr.  Sharp  and  the  boat- 
fwain  to  a houfe  not  far  diftant  from  the  place  where 
his  fon  had  been  interred  the  preceding  evening;  there 
was  only  an  olfi  woman  in  the  houfe  when  they  went 
in,  who,  on  receiving  fome  order  from  the  General, 
immediately  difappeared,  and  foon  after  returned  with 
tw'o  old  coco;|-nuts,  and  a bundle  of  beetle-nut  with  the 
leaves ; (he  alfo  brought  fome  red  ochre. — He  took  up  one 
of  the  cocoa-nuts,  eroffing  it  with  the  ochre  tranfverfe- 
ly;  then  placed  it  on  the  ground  by  his  fide.  -After 
fitting  very  penfive,  he  repeated  fomething  to  himfelf, 
which  our  people  conceived  was  a kind  of  prayer,  as  he 
appeared  a good  deal  agitated ; be  then  did  the  fame 
thing  by  the  fecond  cocoa-nut,  and  afterwards  croffed 
the  bunch  of  beetle-nut,  and  lat  penfively  over  it;  this 
done,  he  called  the  old  woman  and  delivered  her  the 
two  nuts,  and  the  bundle  of  beetle-nut,  accompani- 
ed with  fome  diredlions. — Mr.  Sharp  and  his  compani- 
on, obferving  her  go  towards  the  young  man  s grave, 
their  curiofity  would  have  induced  them  to  follow  her, 

w in 


the  PELEW  islands.  irr 

in  order  to  have  obferved  tlie  concliifion  of  this  cere- 
mony ; but  peculiarly  circumllanced  as  the  diftrefled  fa- 
ther then  was,  they  felt  an  unwillingnefs  to  trefpafs  on 
his  feelings,  b^'  tcRifying  any  defire  after  further  infor- 
mation. 

At  their  returp  to  Pelew,  their  countrymen  much 
wondered  what  had  occafioned  their  abfence,  of  whiffk 
being  informed,  they  in  return  related  that  they  had  al- 
■fo  been  witneffes  of  the  funeral  of  another  young  man, 
who  had  fallen  in  the  laft  battle. — But  this  we  need  not 
notice  here,  referring  it  to  that  part  of  the  work  which 
will  dderibe  the  manners  and  cuftoms  of  P.L'w. 

The  General  conducted  Mr.  Sharp  to  the  King,  who 
was  then  feated  in  the  fquare,  and  wlio  defired  to  fee 
the  inftruments  which  he  liad  brought  with  liim,  in  the 
kind  intention  to  have  aflilled  his  deceafed  nephew;  our 
Surgeon  fent  for  them  to  Raa  Kook's  houfe,  in  whofe 
care  they  had  been  depofited;  they  were  foon  produced, 
and  Mr.  Sharp,  by  the  interpreter,  explained  to  him  fe- 
parately  the  ufe  of  every  initrument.  The  furprife  a.nd- 
pleafure  the  fight  afforded  Abba  Phulle  was  fo  great,  that 
he  begged  Mr.  Sharp  would  go  with  him,  juft  by,  to 
where  feveral  Rupacis  were  lodged  (who  were  come  t > 
pafs  a few  days  with  him  on  account  of  his  late  fuccefs) 
that  they  might  alfo  be  indulged  with  a view  of  thefe  in- 
ftruments. A full  explanation  of  the  di.fier^nt  purpofto. 
to  which  they  were  applicable,  was  again  given  to  thefe 
Chiefs,  in  whom  it  certainly  produced  great  amazement. 
They  examined  the  knives,  and  faws  for  amputation,  witii 
wonder  ; and  probably  had  their  imaginations  half  overfet 
by  the  ideas,  which  all  thefe  objects,  fo  netv  and  fo  fin- 
gular,  muft  have  ftarted  in  tlieir  minds. 


CHAPTER 


lis. 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF 


CHAPTER  XV.  * 


The  Men  -Mho  had  been  on  the  third  Expedition  to  Artingall  ' 
return — an  Accmint  of  it  given. — Captain  Wilfon  invited'- 
by  the  King  to  vifit  the  Rupacks,  ivho  had  attended  as 
Allies  in  the  lajl  Battle. — Accompanies  the  King  and  his  ’■ 
Brother  to  fame  JJlands  to  the  Northvuard,  ’where  there,  ■ 
'was  much  hejlivity  on  the  Occafion. — Is  received  <wiih,  '• 
great  Hofpitality,  and  after  fve  Days  Ahjence  returns 
to  Oroolong. 


Oft.  A BOUT  eleven  o’clock  in  the  forenoon  all 
7*  JL\-  the  warriors  returned  to  Oroolong,  perfeftly 


weH,  in  high  fpirits,  and  greatly  pleafed  with  the  treat- 
nrbfit  they  had  received  from  their  Peh'w  friends. — Raa 
Keck  axcompanied  them,  with  four  canoes,  bringing  fome 
yams,  and  two  jars  of  molaffes. 

With  refpeft  to  the  third  expedition,  I (hall  purfue 
the  fame  method  as  I did  in  the  defeription  of  the  fe- 
cond  battle  of  Artingall,  and  deliver  the  particulars  of  it 
as  I myftlf  received  them  from  Mr.  M.  Wilfon,  who  was 
prefent  at  it,  and  which  particulars  were  fully  confirmed 
by  every  report  of  the  tranfaftion  to  the  Captain. 

“ The  outfet  of  this  bufinefs  was  neaily  the  fame  as, 
in  the  fecond  expedition,  though  the  number  of  ca-i 
noes  far  exceeded  thofe  which  accompanied  the' 
King  before. — When  we  got  to  Artingall  no  canoes'j 
were  feen,  though  the  ufual  previous  notice  had  been 
fent  of  our  coming  to  attack  them. — The  Pelew' 
people  being  unable  to  provoke  the  appearance  of  the 
enemy,  landed,  and  went  a little  way  up  from  the 
fea-fhore.  Raa  Kook  now  took  the  command,  and 
coudufted  the  troops;  the  King  remaining  in  his 
canoe,  occafionally  defpatching  the  Frigate  canoes  vvuh 
orders  to  him  and  Airra  Kooicr. — We  we*e  entreated 
not  to  land;  we- however,  perceiving  that  the  enemy 

‘‘  werev 


i 


THE  PE  LEW  ISLANDS.  113 

were  beginning  to  defend  tliemfelveS)  junsped  on 
“ (bore  to  alfiil  our  friends,  and  befieged  fome  houfes 
“ pofl'eiTed  by  the  enemy. — The  fwivel,  which  had  been 
“ lixed  in  a canoe  which  the  natives  had  prepared  for 
“ the  piirpofe,  w-ith  great  ingenuity  and  judgment, 
“ played  conftantly  on  the  houfes  which  were  filled  with 
“ people;  our  muflictry  covering  the  Pekiv  people, 
“ foon  dillodged  the  enemy,  and  one  of  the  houfes  was 
“ by  fome  accident  prefently  in  flames. — We  were  of- 
“ ten  greatly  annoyed  by  the  enemy,  who  ruflied  down 
“ on  us  with  a fliower  of  fpears;  in  return,  whenever 
“ w’e  perceived  them  coming,  a brilk  fire  was  kept  up, 
“ which  not  only  difperfed  them  immediately,  but  in 
“ all  probability  muft  have  killed  a confiderable  number 

‘‘  of  them Arra  Kaoker,  who  had  gone  further  than  any 

“ other  in  purfuit  of  the  enemy,  afeending  a hill  in  figot 
“ of  the  canoes,  and  obferving  one  of  the  Art'in^cdl 
“ people  coming  down,  flept  unnoticed  amongft  fomq, 
‘‘  bullies  to  let  him  pafs,  and  then  purfuing  him  down 
“ the  declivity,  ftimned  him  with  a blow  from  his  wood- 
“ en  fword,*  and  was  dragging  him  a prlfoner  to  his 
“ canoe,  when  Thomas  Wilfon,  feeing  feveral  of  the  ene- 
“ my  rufhing  down  on  Arra  Kooker,  and  that  he  mufl.  in- 
“ eviiably  have  been  killed,  ran  immediately  to  his  af- 
“ fiftance,  and  levelled  his  piece  at  the  Artingall  people, 
“ which  they  perceiving,  inftantly  betook  themfelves  to 
flight;  this  was  a circumflance  the  more  fortunate,  as 
“ Thomas  IVilfon  had  expended  his  whole  ftock  of  am- 
“ munition  in  covering  the  landing,  and  had  aClually  at 
“ the  time  no  charge  in  his  mufleet. 

“ The  natives  of  Artingall  behaved  with  much  cou- 
“ rage  in  this  engagement ; they  defended  the  houCc 
“ that  took  fire  to  the  lall,  nor  quitted  it  till  it  was 
“ ready  to  fall. — One  of  the  Pclenv  people  on  this  occa- 
“ fion  diftinguilhed  hlmfelf  in  a very  extraordinary  maa- 
“ ner  ; he  ran  to  the  houfe  while  it  was  in  flames,  tore 
“ off  a burning  brand,  and  carr^'ing  it  to  another  houfe, 
where  many  pf  the  enemy  had  taken  flicker,  fet  it 
• K 2 “ on 

* The  fame  fort  of  weapon  was  prefented  to  Captain  V/.lJui 
■i^mvngu 


1 14  ' AN  ACCOUNT  OF 

“.^11‘ifirtr,  and  (the  materials  of  their  buildings  being 
“ very  corr.buflible)  it  was  quickly  burnt  dpwn  •;  the 
“ man,  after  accoinplifliing  this  bold  atchievment,  had 
“ the'  good  fortune  to  return  to  his  companions  unhurt ; 
“ the  King  publicly  rewarded  him  for  his  courage,,  by 
immediately  placing  with  his  om’u  hands  a firing  qf 
“ beads  in  liis  ear,  and  making  him  aftenvards  an  infe- 
“ fior  Rupach  on  his  return  to  Pelenv. 

“ In  this  action  five  canoes  were  defiroyed,  which  the 
“ enemy  had  hauled  cn  fiiorc,  and  alfo  their  wharf  or 
“ caufeway,  which  was  much  longer  and  broader  than 
“ that  at  Pileiu.  Befde  doing  much  other  damage  to 
“ the  enemy,  they  brought  away  the  fione  on  which 
“ the  King  of  jirtingall  fits  when  in  council ; this  af- 
“ forded  cccafion  for  great  rejoicing  when  they  got 
back,  but  were  not  fo  truly  felt  as  after  the  fecond 
“ battle,  the  triumph  of  the  day  being  overclouded  by 
“ the  death  of  Raa  KooP*  fon,  and  another  youth  of 
'‘  note,  both  killed  in  this  engagement,  as  alfo  from 
“ having  thirty  or  forty  of  their  people  wounded,  feve- 
“ ral  of  whom  died  in  confequcnce  thereof,  in  a few 
“ davs  after  their  return  to  PchivP*' 

Oftober  8.  This  morning  Mr.  Barher  unfortunate- 
ly fell  backward  from  one  of  the  fiages,  and  was  much 
hurt. — Our  men  being  now  employed  about  the  veffel, 
and  Raa  Kook  waiting  with  two  canoes  at  Oroolovg,  Cap- 
tain Wiljtn  went,  by  the  particular  defire  of  the  King, 
to  pay  a vifit  to  the  Rupacis  whojittended  him  on  the 
lail  expedition.  The  Captain  was  accompanied  by  his 
fen  Henry  JVilfen,  Thomas  Dulton  liis  fervant,  and  the 
linguift.— After  they  had  got  out  of  the  harbour  they 
waited  fome  time  for  the  canoes,  which  had  been  fifiiing. 
— ^The  General  fent  a turtle  and  fome  fifh  to  the  tents, 
and  took  the  reft  to  Peh'w,  where  they  arrived  about 
ten  o’clock  at  night  j the  King  had  been  gone  an  hour 
before  to  the  great  ifland  called  Emungs,  where  tliele 
Ripachs  lived,  but  had  left  his  eldcft  fon,  Bill,  to  re- 
ceive 

* The  errrying  off  the  regal  fione  from  Art'ugill  might  add  as 
truth  irraginary  glory  to  the  day  as  our  firfl  Ldtuard's  bringing’ 
to  V/ef,nPjler  the  uiaugwalion  ftcEC  of  the  SstUond. 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  iiy 

celve  Captain  IVilfon  and  go  forward  with  nTm.— 
AToo^aflced  the  Captain  if  he  liked  to  follow  hi|^broth^; 
but  he  declined  going  any  further  till  morning,  feeling- 
liimfelf  indifpofcd. 

About  feven  o’clock  the  next  morning  they  embark- 
ed in  Raa  Kook's  canoe  ; the  General  was  accoinp^niecV 
by  tw’O  of  his  wives,  having  eleven  men  to  paddle, 
taking  with  them  provifion  for  the  day  ; they  went  tei 
the  northward  about  ten  or  twelve  leagues,  and  about 
noon  were  off  the  mouth  of  a rivulet  that  ran  up  into 
the  Idand  of  Emungs,  where  Abba  ‘Thitlle  then  was. — Ract 
Kook  here  ornamented  his  canoe  with  fneUs,  and  founded 


his  conch  to  give  notice  of  his  arrival. 

This  rivulet  was  both  narrow  and  fliallow,  its  fidcs 
full  of  mangrove  trees,  which  in  fevei-al  places  were  cut 
away  to  m^c  a free  paffage  for  the  canoes  to  pafs  up 
and  down. — In  their  paffage  to  get  into  the  rivulet  or 
creek,  they  were  frequently  in  danger  of  being  a-ground, 
which  the  natives  feemed  much  to  fear,  on  account  of 
the  fharp  coral-llones  upon  the  banks ; it  was  neceffaiy 
for  them  to  keep  a good  look-out,  as  they  had  fre- 
quently fudden  tranfitions  from  deep  to  fliallow  water. 
— After  advancing  near  a mile  up  this  creek  (through 
part  of  which,  it  being  low-water,  the  boatmen  were 
obliged  to  get  out  and  track  the  canoe)  they  came  in 
fight  of  feme  houfes  ; the  conch-fliell  was  again  founded, 
when  three  or f<JUr  young  menappeared,  butreturned  back 
immediately,  as  if  furprifed  ; Raa  Kooky  on  feeing  this, 
•ordered  two  of  his  men  to  go  up  to  the  houfes,  who  re- 
turned with  a piece  of  board,  on  which  they  feated'. 
Captain  Wilfony  and  four  of  the  men  took  him  on  fliore, 
Raa  Kook  walking  by,his  fide^the  canoe  being  a-ground. 
The  bank  of  the  river  was  by  this  time  crowded  with  the  „ 
natives ; through  this  throng  they  were  conduced  to  a 
large  houfe,  where  the  novelty  of  feeing  men  of  a dif- 
ferent color  to  themfelves,  had  drawn  together  a frefli 
concourfe  of  people,  whofe  curiofity  was  Hill  mors 
raffed  by  what  they  had  heard  of  them  in  the  late 
different  expeditions. — The  Captain  and  his  companions 
Hayed  at  tlus  place  about  half  an  hour,  to  reft  them- 


AJJ  ACCOUNT  Ot» 


. felves,  and  gratify  the  natives,  who  appeared  exceedPrig- 
ly  defir^s  to  touch  them ; they  then  walked  ahOut  a 
quarter  of  a anile  .further,  where  ^l>5a  ThuUe  with  the 
Rupacks  were  expefting  their  arrival. — They  found  the 
King  and  the  Chiefs  in  a large  houfe  or  public  building  ; 
» the  former  made  figns  to  Captain  Wiljon  to  fit  down.— 
They  remained  there  about  two  hours,  and  then  went 
^ to  vifit  the  Rupack  of  the  town,  who  was  a very  old 
man  and  unable  to  walk — ^being  aecompanied  by  Raa 
Kook,  who  introduced  them.  A kind  of  ftool  or  low 
table  covered  with  boiled  yams,  a tub  of  fweet  drink, 
and  a fiih  were  fet  before  them. — ^They  tailed  them, 
and  remained  about  half  an  hour  with  the  old  Rupack, 
and  returned  to  the  great  houfe,  whither  the  provifions 
were  fent  after  them. — About  five  o’clock  in  the  even- 
ing a dancing  began,  after  the  manner  of  the  country,  at 
each  end  of  the  outfide  of  the  great  houfe,  and  another  at 
a houfe  a Uttle  diftant,  where  anotherlarge  company  were 
with  Arra  Kooker  and  the  King’s  eldeft  fon,  BUI. — 
Supper  was  ferved  by  two  butlers.  It  was  obferved,  in  the 
houfe  were  Abba  ThuUe  was,  that  though  an  allotted 
fiiare,  or  portion  of  the  entertainment  was  ferved  to; 
each  Rupack,  his  family  and  guefts,  yet  none  of  them 
touched  a bit  till  the  King  gave  the  word  to  eat ; nei- 
ther did  they  at  night  lie  down  to  fleep  until  he  was  co- 
vered with  his  mat.  ‘ • 

The  dancing  continued  the  whole^WIlf,  with  fing— 
ing,  the  women  joining  in  both,  which  altogether  made 
. a terrible  noife  ; and  our  people  having  only  rough,  un-, 
( . eyep  boards  to  fleep.  on,  with  a boat-cloak  fpread  un- 
der’them,  and  a jack  -ior  a coverlid,  they  may  be  ra- 
ther faid  to  haV^  Iaih  doWhithan^fted. — Thefe  diverfi-J 
ons  did  riot  ceafe  till  ten  o’clock  the  next  morning,  and 
'..at  three  In  the  afternoon  were  renewed  for  an  hour  ^ 
when  two  parties  of  the  natives  oame  from  a wood  that. 
Tfvgs  clo”fe  to  the  town,  and  ruihing  out  by 'different  ways, 
r^Vefented  to  the  fpeftators  a mock  fight ; after  which, 
they  joined  in  one  band,  and  began  a kind  of  dance, 
with  their  fpears  in  their  hands;  during  which  fpur  large 
^;fpears  vzers  brought  and  prefented  to  Captain  IFU/dti,  by 

the 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  ,‘117 

the  Chief  of  the  band,  one  at  a time,  = . 

(ho^  fpeech  at  the  delivery  of  each  of  thSm,  and  then 
returned  to  join  the  dance  ; he  alfo  prefented^the  Caj)- 
tain  with  a fword,  made  of  very  hard  wood,  and  cuu- 
oufly  inlaid  with  Ihell. — This  dance  lafted  about  an  ^ 
hour  ; when  it  was  ended.  Captain  JVilfon  inquired  of 
the  linguill  the  meaning  of  fome  human  {hulls  he  faw 
placed  over  the  outllde  of  the  doors  at  the  ends  of  the 
great  houfe  ; he  dircftly  went  and  afleed  Raa  Kool,  who 
gave  him  the  following  account : — That  the  Rupacks 
and  principal  men  of  Emungs  having  gone,  on  fome  par- 
ticular occaiion  to  another  ifland,  taking  with  them  a 
confiderable  number  of  the  inhabitants,  a party  of  the 
Artingall  people  landed  at  their  town,  and  killing  many 
who  could  not  efcape  into  the  woods,  fet  their  houfes 
,on  fire;  the  news  of  which  being  brought  to  Abba 
Thulle,  he  immediately  alfembled  hi»  canoes  and  wani- 
ors,  and  went  ancHtttSCked  them  before  they  had  quitted 
the  place  ; that  being  fo  unexpeftedly  befet,  many 
were  killed,  and  the  reft  fled,  fome  in  their  canoes,  and 
others  into  the  w'oods;  that  the  Rupacks  and  people 
of  Emungs  returning  at  this  junilure,  few  of  the  Ar- 
Ungall  people  efcaped ; and  that  thofe  w'ere  the  heads 
of  fome  of  the  Chiefs. — This  alfair  appeared  not  to 
have  happened  very  long  before,  as  the  materials  of  the 
houfe»Vhi^h  had  been  deftroyed,  looked  ftill  rather 
.frefh,  nor  ^yre  overgrown  with  weeds  at  that  time.— 
In  the  eveniiTg  they  renewed  their  merriment,  which 
continued  till  midnight,  when  they  went  to  reft. 

Odlober  II.’  The  morning  was  ufltered  in  with  new 
dances.  After  breakfaft  there  was  much  heavy  rain, 
with  thunder  and  li^htning^  in  the  afternoon  .the  wea- 
ther clearing,  the  old  Rupack  of  the  place  came  down 
to  the  raifed  fquare  pavement,  which  was  at  one  end;,^ 
the  great  houfe  where  our  people  were he  was  brousil 
on  a board"  flung  with  a rope  at  each  end,  and  ea^ejj 
by  four  men. — After  he  was  feated,  a meffenger-citne 
and  fpoke  to  Abba  ThuUe,  who  Immediately  faid  fchie- 
. thing  to  the  Rupacks  in  the  great  houfe,  and  they  all 
went  out  on  the  pavement,  and  feated  themfelves  with 

much 


iiS  anaCcounxof 

• 

much  mefpect ; Abba  Thtdle  alfo  quitted  the  houfe,  leav. 
ing  nonejDUt  the  Englipi  in  it ; yet  did  not  go  to  th#  old 
Rupack,  or  take  any  notice  of  the  ceremony  carrying 
on,  but  fat  down  under  a tree,  where  he  could  not  be 
obferved,  and  amufed  himfelf  in  making  the  handle  of 
a hatchet. — After  fome  time  fpent  in  converfation,  the 
old  Rupach  diftrifcmted  beads  to  the  other  Rupacks,  in  the 
following  manner: — The  old  Rupack  gave  them  to  an 
officer  in  w'aiting,  who  advancing  into  the  middle  of  the 
fquare,  and  holding  them  up  between  his  fore-finger 
and  thumb,  made  a (hort  fpeech,  and  with  a loud  voice 
called  out  the  perfon’s  name  for  whom  they  were  de- 
ligned,  and  immediately  i-an  and  gave  them  to  him,  and 
then  returned  in  a flow  pace  to  the  old  Rupack  for  the 
next,  which  was  prefentcd  in  the  fame  manner. — Cap- 
tain Wilfon  remained  in  the  houfe  obfernng  the  cere- 
m.ony,  till  the  linguift  was  fent  to  him,  v/hen  he  went 
out,  and  was  direfted  to  a feat  near  his  friend  Raa  Kookf 
andvfoon  after  two  toi  toife-fliell  fpoons,  and  a firing  of 
red  Heads,  which  were  made  from  a coarfe  fpccics  of 
cornelian,  were  brought  forward,  which  the  before  men- 
tioned officer  holding  up,  called  out  Englees,  and  inftant- 
ly  ran  and  prefented  them  to  the  Captain. — Abba  T hulk's 
beads,  which  were  of  glafs,*  were  given  to  Raa  Kook^ 
who  perfonated  the  King  on  this  oecafion.  , ^ 

There  certainly  appears,  from  w'hat  has  been  fhid,  to 
have  been  fome  etiquette,  not  properly  \ihderftood  by 
ouj^  people,  in  Abba  ThuUe' s retiring  whilft.  the  old  Ru- 
pack was  diftributing  his  favors. — There  was  reafon  to 
fuppofe,  that  if  their  rank  was  the  fame,  yet  the  cere- 
monials of  their  perfonal  interview  might  not  be  fufficl- 
ently  fettled,  fo  as  to  admit  of  thiyr  meeting  on  terms 
of  equal  dignity  on  both  fides.  Therefore  the  King  of 

Peleia, 

§ * The  heads  firll;  fpoken  of  were  of  their  own  making,  being 
a kind  of  colored  earth  baked  : they  made  them  alfo  at  Peltz>>, 
but  our  people  had  never  any  opportunity  of  feeing  how  they  werj 
nianufataurcd. — They  alfo  confidered  as  beads  the  glafs  ones  laA 
mentioned,  being  only  bits  of  broken  glafs,  which  they  had  tl'c 
art  of  drilling;  fome  beads  they  faw  of  this  hind  were  made 
green  and  white  glafs,  being  fmall  pieces  of  broken  bottles  whi  'h 
bad  been  got  out  of  the  Antehfe, 


the  PE  lew  islands.  119 

Pehnj,  though  aftually  prefent,  was  only  prefumed  to 
be  fcfin  the  perfon  of  his  brother  the  General;  who, 
as  appears  before,  anfwered  for  him,  and  in  his  name 
received  that  teftimony  of  refpedl  with  which  one  fove* 
reign  was  pleafed  to  greet  another.  When  the  old  Ru- 
pack  had  diftributed  all  his  favors,  a general  converfation 
took  place  among  the  Chiefs,  which  continued  for  about 
an  hour ; after  which  the  old  Chief  was  put  on  his  board, 
and  carried  back  in  the  fame  manner  he  had  been  brought 
to  the  fquare.  Fiih,  yams,  and  other  refrefliments  were 
then  given  to  the  attendants  of  Jlbba  Thulle  and  the 
other  Rupach. — The  evening  was  paffed  in  the  great 
houfe,  as  before. 

Oftober  12.  In  confeque'ncc  of  Captain  Wtlfon  hav- 
ing requefted  to  return  to  Oroolong,  the  conch-fhcll  was 
founded  at  day-light,  and  the  canoes  got  in  readinefs 
for  departure.  At  eight  o’clock  they  all  went  to  the 
houfe  where  they  firft  landed,  and  here,  before  they  em- 
barked, Raa  Kook  expreffed  a wifh  to  fire  a mulltet  j 
but  having  no  idea  of  the  Ihock  it  would  occafion,  and 
holding  it  loofe,  it  llruck  his  /houlder  with  fuch  force 
as  threw  him  backwards,  and  it  fell  from  bis  hands.  He 
expreffed  much  furprife  that  the  -Engli/h  could  do  this 
with  fo  much  eafe,  and  that  he  was  neither  able  to  Hand, 
or  hold  it  when  fired.  They  now  went  on  board,  and 
fell  down  the  creek,  it  being  near  high-water.  After 
they  had  got  to  the  outlet  of  the  creek,  one  of  the  Ru~ 

\ packs,  who  was  going  to  the  northward,  where  he  lived, 
parted  company,  carrying  away  in  his  fuite  eight  or 
; nine  canoes.  This  Rupach,  whofe  name  was  Maath,  had 
two  Bones  on  his  arm.  Captain  Wtlfon  had  given  Abba 
Thulle  the  fpaniel  dog,  which  the  King  had  with  him 
at  this  time.  When  they  were  out  of  the  creek,  and 
Maath  was  taking  leave,  Abba  Thulle  delivered  to  him 
the  dog,  and  alfo  the  fcarlet  coat;  but  they  were  af- 
terwards returned  to  him,  as  our  people  faw  him  wear 
the  coat  when  he  went  againft  Peleleiv,  and  faw  the  dog 
frequently  afterwards  at  Peleav;  which  fatisfied  them 
that  they  were  only  lent  to  Maath  to  take  to  his  illand, 
that  he  might  fhew  them  to  his  own  people,  Captain; 

Wilfc3 


120 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF 

IVilJon  having  declined  going  to  vifit  them,  though 
ilrongly  folicited,  excufing  himfelf  on  account  of  the 
long  time  It  would  occafion  his  being  abfent  from  Oreo- 
hng. — Alla  Thulle  and  his  train,  which  confifted  of  about 
forty  canoes,  returned  to  the  fouthward.  About  ten 
o’clock  they  were  overtaken  by  a violent  fquall  of  wind, 
with  much  thunder,  lightning,  and  rain,  which  obliged 
every  canoe  to  fhift  for  itfelf ; the  boatmen,  in  that  ca- 
noe where  the  Captain  was,  jumped  overboard,  to  avoid 
being  wetted  w'ith  the  rain,*  holding  by  the  canoe  with 
one  arm,  and  keeping  it  as  it  w ere  at  an  anchor  ; but 
finding  the  rain  continue  after  the  thunder  had  ceafed, 
they  made  for  the  (hore,  which  having  reached,  the 
• boatmen  very  cxpeditioudy  ^indled  a fire,  by  rubbing 
two  pieces  of  wood  together.  The  Captain  remarked, 
that  at  each  flafh  of  lightning  Raa  Kook’s  two  wives, 
who  were  in  the  fame  canoe  with  him,’fiieltered  under 
his  boat-cloak,  muttered  fomething  that  feemed  to  be  a 
prayer  or  ejaculation  ; Raa  Kook  covered  himfelf  with 
his  mat.  About  noon  the  w'cather  cleared  up,  and  they 
joined  the  King,  who  gave  our  people  boiled  fifh  for 
dinner,  fomewhat  refembling  mullet.  About  one  o’clock 
all  landed ; and  the  King  and  his  retinue,  wnth  our  peo- 
ple, walked  up  the  country  about  a mile,  to  a town 
called  Aramalorgoo,  where  was  exhibited  a dance  of  fpear- 
men ; after  which  the  ufual  fort  of  refrefhments  were 
ferved  to  the  company.  They  then  returned  to  their  ca- 
noes, and  came  to  a place  called  Emillegue,  which  ap- 
peared to  be  a diftinft  government,  as  a formal  invitati- 
on came  off  from  the  Rupack,  or  Chief  of  that  ifland, 
to  folicit  the  company  to  land.  It  was  a large  town, 
fituated  about  a mile  from  the  fea-lhore.  The  Rupack 
was  a fat,  good-looking,  friendly,  old  man  ; and,  by 
every  mark  of  external  refpeft  paid  to  him,  feemed  to 
be  a perfon  of  confiderable  confequence. 

Our 

* Notwithftancling  the  natives  bathed  daily  in  frelh  water,  yet 
they  all  appeared  to  have  a great  diilike  at  being  wetted  by  rain  ; 
ir  is  probable  the  fpattenng  of  it  on  their  naked  bt-dies  might 
tpeate  an  unpleafant  fenfation.  ' 


the  PE  lew  islands.  121 

Our  people  conceived  the  idea,  that  fome  etiquette 
here  alfo  operated  on  the  King  of  Pefew,  as  he  would 
iiot  binifelt  goon  (hore,  but  frayed  in  his  canoe,  though 
it  was  his  wilh  that  all  the  reft  of  his  company  fliould 
land.  They  were  here  entertained  with  a dance,  and 
treated  with  fome  broiled  pigeons.  See.  They  alfo  were 
invited  to,  and  moft  kindly  received  at  two  or  three  pri- 
vate houfes.  It  was  night  before  they  got  back  to  the 
canoes,  and  being  dark,  the  people  were  fo  hofpitable 
that  they  would  walk  with  them,  and  conduft  them 
in  fafety  to  the  water  fide,  bearing  lighted  torch.es  in 
their  hands,  and  taking  them  by  the  arm  whenever  the 
path  was  uneven  err  difficult. 

About  ten  o’clock  Captain  fVil/o'n  and  kis  party  ar-  . 
rived  at  Pele<w;  the  King’s  canoe  not  being  come  In, 
no  perfon  offered  to  go  on  (hore,  the  feme  was  ob- 
ferved  by  all  the  other  canoes ; nor  ttll  the  King  went 
on  (hore  was  any  thing  removed  from  the  boats.  And 
here  I muft  notice,  that  though  thefeceremoniuls  were  ob- 
ferved  by  all  ranks  to  Alba  ThuUe,  even  by  his  brothers 
Raa  Kook  and  Arra  Kookcr,  yet  Captain  JVUfon  and 
•the  Engli/h  were  exempt  from  them  ; and  Raa  Kook 
gave  them  to  underftand  the  Er.giyh  might  land  when 
they  pleafed;  but  the  Captain  finding  riiis  was  an  efta- 
hli(hed  form,  chofe  to  remain  in  the  canoe,  out  of 
refpeft  to  the  King,  and  in  compliment  to  the  General. 
— Our  people  flayed  all  night  at  the  houfe  by  the 
water-fide,  Abba  ThuUe  remaining  with  them.  A "coun- 
cil was  held,  before  they  went  to  (Jeep,  confiftinn-  of 
the  King,  his  brothers,  and  the  chief  Eu^aeke  who 
had  retuneed  to  Pelew;  the  purport  of  which  was  made 
known  next  day  at  breakfaft,  by  Abba  ThuHe's  afein^ 
the  Captain  if  he  would  go  with  him  once  more  to 
battle? — who  replied,  that  he  muft  confult  his  officers 
and  people  at  Oroclong^  before  he  could  with  proprie- 
ty give  an  anfwer ; that  when  he  left  the  iftand  ma- 
ny of  them  were  fick,  nor  could  he  tell  but  that  at 
his  return  he  might  find  others  iii  alfo;  but  (hould 
that  not  be  the  'Cafe,  he  would  w^th  pleafure  comply 
•L  with 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF 
with  hi's  wirtics.  The  King  then  aflced,  why  the  jolly- 
Koat  had  never  been  once  down  at  Pelenv  for  yams, 
fince  the  time  the  Captain  had  been  with  him  at  l!he 
idands  ? Captain  WUfon  anfwered,  that  they  had  only 
'One  boat  in  ufe,  the  other  "being  funk  at  the  head  (k 
■the  new  vcflel,  to  make  a bank  to  keep  off  the  tide. 
— The  weather  that  had  been  fqually,  being  now  clear- 
ing, and  the  wind  getting  to  the  N.  'E.  our  people  left 
Pdcnu  about  eleven  in  the  forenoon.  They  ftopped  an 
hour  at  the  fmall  ifland,  and  reached  Oroolong  about 
‘four  in  the  afternoon  ; Raa  Kook  returning  with  them. 

On  arriving  Oroolong^  It  was  with  great  fatisfac- 
tion  they  found  Mr.  Barker  fo  well  recovered  from  his 
accident  as  to  be  able  to  go  about.  The  veffel  alfo 
was  much  forwarded,  all  her  beams  laid,  and  moll  of 
them  fecured. — ^The  General,  ever  attentive  to  the  in- 
tercft  and  fervice  of  our  countrymen,  fent  back  imme- 
diately all  the  canoes  (except  his  own.  In  whom  he 
could  confide)  that  they  might  not  pilfer,  or  be  guilty 
•cf  any  mifdemeanor. 


-C.H  AFTER 


the  pelew  islands. 


123. 


CHAPTER  XVl. 


Proceedings  at  Oroolong. — The  Genet  a!  raf.ains  ’’X'uh  f.te 
Englilh  —/rUe/Zl^enee  is  brought  to  him  that  the  People 
of  Artingall  were  come  to  fue  for  Peace^  7he  King 
arrives  the  next  Day,  and  for  thefirjl  Time  brings  one^ 
ef  his  Wrves,  his  favorite  Daughter,  and  feveral  op 
their  Female  Attendants^ — He  continues  at  tne  Back  (f 
the  Ifland  three  or  four  Days,  during  nvouh  Time  the 
General,  who  went  with  him,  was  much  indifpofed. 

Mr.  Sharp  vifhs  him,  and  relieves  his  Complaint. 

The  King,  with  Raa  Kook  atui  his  Retinue,  return  to 
Pt\e\v.— He  fends  the  Englifh  fame  Colors  to  paint  their 
V'effel. — Mr.  Sharp  goes  to  Ptrlew  to  inquire  after  Raa 
Kook’s  Health,  whom  he  fuels  getting  well. 

Ocl. ' I ■’  HE  jolly-boat  went  this  morning  for  water, 
14.  X but  found  the  well'dry,  there  being  feven  ca- 
noes already  there.  It  was  underftood  from  Tom  Rofir 
that  they  preceded  the  King,  who  was  coming  with' 
men  and  boats  to  bring  on  fhore  all  the  (hip’s  guns.  In 
the  courfe  of  the  day  our  people  got  fome  water,  and  a 
fmatl  canoe  brought  a few'  fi(h,  and  a fine  fca  craw'-fi(h. 

The  cook  having  been  very  negligent  in  his  bufinefs, 
fpoiling  often  the  rice,  and  being  fufpeflied,  in  concert 
with  one  of  the  China-men,  his  afiillant,  of  appropriat- 
ing tothcmfelVes  part  of  the  very  finall  quantity  of  meat 
they  could  afford  to  boil  with  it ; he  was  ordered  to  be 
ptinifhed  with  a Cobbing.  In  confequence  of  the  regula- 
tions before  mentioned  to  have  been  made  aniongft  them— 
felves,  this  was  carried  by  a majority.  The  Cobbing  was 
performed  by  (tripping  him  to  the  waifi,  and  tying  his 
liands  againd  a tree,  to  keep  him  extended;  when  one- 
man,  w'ith  a thin,  fiat  piece  of  wood,  like  a battledore,, 
impofed  the  number  of  (tripes  he  was  ordered  to  re- 
cede. The  cook’s  aflldant  was  alfo  punifned  in  like' 

manner 


124  an  a c c o u n to? 

manner;  and  another  C.liaa-num  for  wounding  ore  of 
his^  couiHrymen  on  the  head  with  a fcoae.  Raa  K'joH\ 
feeing  thefe  fellows  tied  up,  appeared  concerned,  and 
applied  to  Captain  IV'Jfon  to  beg  tl;cm  off ; but  the  fafety 
of  this  little  community  abfclutcly  rt(^ilrc*d  that  regular- 
ity and  obedience  fhould  be  prefer;ed  ; and  this  was  ful- 
ly explained  to  the  General,  as  an  apology  for  his  re- 
quell not  being  complied  with.  Ke  flood  by,  howe- 
ver, whilll  tlic  punilhment  was  iofliclcd  ; and  not  find- 
ing it  was  of  a ferious  nature,  feemed  convinced  our 
people  were  right ; and  when  the  Cl-ina-vun  carae  to  re- 
ceive the  fame  difeipline,  they  fet  up  fo  lamentable  a 
cr}',  that  he  was  even  diverted  by  their  pufiUanimity. 

This  afternoon  three  canoes  came  to  the  watering- 
placcj  in  one  of  which  was  a woman,  the  firft  that  had 
been  feen  at  Oroclovg  by'  the  EngUJh;  they  aftciwardi 
came  round  to  the  harbour,  when  the  woman  came  oa 
ihore  ; who,  after  viewing  the  veiTel,  went  up  to  the 
fn'iitli’s-ihop,  and  from  thence  to  the  cook’s  habitation. 
.\ftcr  looking  about  with  much  attention,  ibe  came 
back  to  the  vefl'el ; which  fhe  again  examined  for  a 
few  minutes,  and  then  returned  to  her  canoe.  She  was 
not  accompanied  by  any  one  of  the  men  from  the  ca- 
noes. Our  people  never  could  learn  who  fhc  was,  as 
Raa  Kook  was  gone  off  at  that  time  to  the  wreck.  She 
appeared  to  ftep  cautioufly,  but  uill  was  excited  by  her 
curiofity  to  peep  about  every  where.  It  was  judged 
they  came  from  Emillgtie,  no  one  recollecting  any  /'r- 
ilfry  countenance  among  tliem.  The  bottom  of  the  vef- 
fel  was  this  day  begun  to  be  caulked,  as  alfo  her  deck 
to  be  laid. 

OCtober  1 6.  The  jolly-boat  ftill  continued  her  vifits 
to  the  wreck,  from  whence  fire  generally  brought 
fomething  that  was  of  fervice.  A canoe  came  into  the 
harbour  with  fifh,  and  a turtle  of  about  two  hundred 
pounds  weight.  Raa  Kook  fent  the  turtle  to  the  King, 
but  gave  our  people  nipft  of  the  filh.  In  the  aftcnioou 
a canoe  carae  from  to  notify  to  the  General  the 

arrival  of  the  ChUf  lYEnijier  of  ^rtir.gaU  at  that  place, 


THE  PErL,EW  ISLANDS.  125 
who  had  brought  with  him  offers  of  peace.  Notice  of 
it  was  alfo  fent  to  Captain  IVilfon. 

Raa  Kook  appeared  much  plcafed  with  the  news,  and 
told  the  Captain  that  he  fuppofed  this  was  the  reafoii 
why  his  brother  Ahha  Thulle  was  not  come  up  bciore, 
but  tiiat  he  would  be  at  Oroofon^  the  next  day. — A ca- 
noe wanting  to  enter  the  harbour  in  the  night,  the  watch 
fired  to  keep  it  off ; but  it  came  in  the  next  morning, 
and  brought  feme  fifh.  The  General  gave  our  people 
three,  which  fer\’ed  eveiy  one  for  a dinner,  and  was 
* the  faring  of  two  hams  ; the  reft  of  the  fifti  being  kept 

I for  the  King,  who  arrived  about  ten  o’clock  in  the  har- 

1 1^  bour,  attended  by  nine  canoes.  With  him  came  his 

youngeft  daughter,  Erre  and  eight  or  nine  women, 
wiio,  except  the  lingle  woman  juft  before  rnentioned, 
were  the  firft  who  had  vilited  Oroolong.  Before  Alha. 
Thulle  came  on  fhore,  the  (General,  who  w'eiit  out  to 
meet  him,  had  given  him  an  account  of  every  thing  that 
I was  going  on.  The  King  ordered  a prefent  of  yams, 

I cocoa-nuts,  and  fweetmeats,  to  be  given  to  oiir  people  ; 

I after  which  he  landed.  He  led  his  daughter  by  tlie 

' hand  cn  fhore,  who  feemed  to  be  about  nine  years  of 

age ; and  of  whom  then,  as  well  as  on  all  future  occafi- 
ons,  he  feemed  to  be  immoderately  fond.  The  General 
took  care  of  all  the  other  females,  and  fhewed  them 
about  the  cove.  The  King,  after  apologizing  to  Cap- 
tain IV'tlJon  for  not  having  been  able  to  come  to  Oroclong 
earlier  to  thank  him  for  his  fervices,  feemed  impatient 
to  view  the  works  carrying  on.  He  took  the  Tackalbys, 
cr  artificers  who  came  with  him,  to  fee  the  veffel,  and 
appeared  much  delighted  to  obferve  the  form  it  liad 
taken  fince  he  had  laft  been  on  the  Ifland,  and  wtis 
quite  aftonifhed  at  the  conveniencies  he  found  it  bad. 
Then  going  within  the  bairicade,  he  was  attrafted  by 
the  boys  fpinning  fpun-yarn,  which  much  pleafed  him. 
His  brother  then  took  him  into  the  Ch'ina-men' s tents, 

I who  were  all  employed  in  picking  oakum. — Among  the 
t women  whom  Raa  Kook  conduced  about  the  cove, . 
there  was  one  w'ho  ftruck  all  our  countrymen  as  being 
fuperior  in  elegance  and  beauty,  as  well  as  in  her  grace- 
L 2 fuL 


I 


126  AN  ACCOUNT  OT 

ful  manner  of  walkrng,  to  any  female  they  had  noticed 
at  Pclew;  fl>e  was  very  young,  and  they  could  not  help 
making  fome  inquiries  about  her  of  the  General,  who 
Informed  them  that  fhe  was  one  of  the  King’s  wives, 
and  was  callea  Ludee; — this  lady,  as  well  as  all  her  fi> 
male  companions,  teftified  that  degree  of  furprife,  which 
the  f nl  light  of  our  difterent  works  had  excited  in  all 
the  other  natives. 

After  they  had  amufed  themfclves  In  feeing  every 
thing  that  was  going  fonvaid,  a canvafs  wai  fpread  in 
the  cove  for  the  King,  the  General,  and  the  ladies; 
tne  Captain  entertained  tlicm  with  li(li,  and  boiled  rice 
mixed  with  molafies  to  fvveeten  It ; which  never  hav- 
ing taRed  before,  they  feemed  to  rclilh  very  much. 

The  King,  in  converlirig  with  the  Captain,  wanted  to 
know  where  he  kept  Ins  powder,  and  how  much  he  had  ; 
lie  anfwesed,  that  the  gunner,  who  had  the  care  of  it, 
was  ablent,  bat  when  he  came  home  in  the  evening  be 
would  inquire.  Jllha  ThiiUe  feeming  to  tccolleft  that 
there  might  be  fome  impropriety  in  the  quellion,  chang- 
ed llie  dilcourfe  inftantly,  nor  refumed  It  any  more.  lie 
faid  he  was  come  to  get  the  great  guns  on  Ihore,  and 
alked  if  he  lliould  bilng  them  to  Oroolong,  or  take  them 
to  Pdew?  Captain  IVUfon  went  out  and  confulted  the 
Chief  Mate,  when  it  was  thought  bc.R.  to  pay  him  the 
compliment  of  faying  he  might  take  them  all  to  Pchnu 
except  one,  which  would  be  wanted  to  go  with  the 
velTel. 

Alla  ThuIId  informed  the  Captain  that  he  was  now  at 
peace  with  moft  of  his  neighbours,  but  that  lie  believed 
lie  was  indebted  for  this  peace  to  their  mufleets ; he 
iiiercfore  hoped  the  Engli/h  would  give  him  fome  when 
they  went  away;  adding,  that  they  did  not  re  quell 
iron,  as  of  that  they  had  now  received  a fufficlency  ; 
the  only  thing  they  wilhed  for  was  powder  and  muficets, 
and  defired  he  might  have  ten. — In  anfwer  to  all  this 
the  Captain  told  him  that  the  EngTtJb  would  always  con- 
tinue to  be  his  friends ; but  that  it  would  be  hupcffible 
to  fparc  ten  of  them,  as  the  Englijb  were  at  that  mo- 
incut  at  war  with  different  nations,  whofe  Ihlps  they 

might 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  I27 

might  have  to  contend  with  in  their  palTage  home  ; how- 
ever, that  when  they  quitted  his  country,  they  would  at 
all  events  give  him  five ; he  feemed  much  plenfed  with 
the  Captain’s  anfwer  ; who  added,  that  (hould  his  neigh- 
bours again  make  war  w'lth  him,  he  might  (from  the 
kind  treatment  he  had  fiiewn  the  Enghjh)  declare  that 
they  would  return  in  a much  larger  flnip,  with  a number 
of  men,  and  would  avenge  any  infult  they  fhould  offer 
to  him  in  their  abfence. 

In  the  afternoon  he  took  his  canoes  and  people  to  the 
watering-place. — This  amiable  Prince  w'as  perpetually 
giving  new  proofs  of  his  attention  to  the  Engl'ijh;  as 
he  commonly  came  wnth  a confiderable  retinue,  he  ob- 
ferved  that  when  he  arrived,  our  people  left  off  working, 
and  thence  conceived  it  was  for  fear  the  natives  fhould 
pilfer  their  tools,  which  he  knew  they  fometimes  could 
not  refrain  from ; therefore,  as  foon  as  he  had  dined,  he 
made  them  all  retire  with  him  to  the  back  of  the  ifland, 
that  he  might  lefs  impede  that  bufinefs,  which  he  faw 
our  countrymen  had  fo  much  at  heart. 

He  had  not  been  at  the  w’atering-place  long  before 
he  fent  for  Captain  V/ilfon  to  come  over  to  him  : Mr. 
Sharp  and  Mr.  Dev'is  accompanied  him.  His  canoes 
had  juft  come  in  from  fifhing,  a large  quantity  which 
they  had  caught  lay  on  the  ground  near  where  the  King 
was  fitting,  divided  into  twm  parcels;  and  the  reafon  why 
the  Captain  had  been  fent  for,  was  to  give  him  one  of 
the  portions,  which  confifted  of  ten  large  fifh.  The 
Captain  fald,  four  would  be  as  many  as  would  feaft  all 
Ills  men,  and  the  reft,  he  feared,  would  fpoil  before 
the  next  day.  The  King  gave  orders  to  have  the  other 
fix  cleaned  and  drefled  for  keeping,  after  their  own 
manner,  and  faid  he  would  fend  them  over  in  the  morn- 
ing.— It  now  advancing  towards  fun-fet,  the  King 
wiflied  the  three  gentlemen  to  move  homewards  before 
it  grew  dark,  as  part  of  their  way  over  land  was  rugged 
and  hazardous;  they  therefore  took  leave  of  him,  with 
many  expreffions  of  thanks  for  the  repeated  marks  of 
his  attentlon.—Iifthe  night  there  was  a very  hard 
fquall. 


October 


128  ANACCOUNTOF 

Oftober  i8.  Some  boileu  vice  was  fent  for  the  King’s, 
breakfaft.  Soon  after  Haa  Kook  came  over  land,  follow- 
ed by  fix  men,  bearing  the  fifii ; they  were  finging  all 
the  way  through  the  woods,  and  were  heard  long  before 
they  were  feen.  The  fiih  were  quite  fweet  and  good, 
and,  as  the  great  heat  of  this  climate  taints  all  their  fifii 
in  a few  hours,  it  may  be  worth  while  to  mention  the 
method  they  take  to  preferve  them. — The  fifh  being 
well  cleaned,  wafhed,  and  fcaled,  two  flat  flicks  are 
placed  lengthways  of  the  fi/h,  to  fupport  and  keep  it 
llralght,  much  in  the  fame  manner  as  meat  is  laid  in  a 
cradle  fpit;  around  it  are  bound  fome  broad  leaves. 
They  then  make  a kind  of  llage  or  trivet,  placed  about 
two  feet  from  the  ground,  Handing  on  four  legs,  upon 
which  the  fifh  is  laid,  and  a flow  fire  made  underneath, 
over  which  it  remains  for  feveral  hours,  till  it  becomes 
fmoke-dried,  and  then  it  is  fit  for  eating  without  any 
further  drefling,  and  would  keep  a couple  of  days,  though 
certainly  not  fo  well-flavored  as  when  eaten  frefh. — 
By  a good  obfervation  at  noon,  the  latitude  of  the  wa- 
tering-place was  7°  i8'  north,  and  the  northern  extremi- 
ty of  Oroolong  was  7°  19  north.  The  King  left  five  or 
fix  canoes  with  the  women  at  the  watering-place,  and 
went  to  the  vvTeck;  the  Captain  fent  fome  tea  againft 
he  came  on  fhore,  and  afterwards  went  over  himfelf,  to 
complain  to  him  of  the  lofs  of  a caulking-iron  and  an 
adze;  which  he  promifed  fliould  be  inquired  after,  and 
returned.  Three  of  the  jirtingall  people  being  with  the 
King,  they  were  pointed  out  to  Captain  Wiljon,  who 
gave  them  an  Invitation  to- breakfaft. 

Odlober  19.  j^rra  Kooier  came  to  fpcak  about  the 
things  that  had  been  purloined.  He  had  recovered  the 
caulking-iron,  but  the  adze  had  been  carried  to  Peleiv. — 
He  told  them  he  requefted  ten  of  our  people  to  aflift , 
in  getting  out  the  guns,  his  o>vn  having  no  tackle  equal 
to  the  efiefting  it;  they  were  accordingly  fent  off  to 
the  wreck,  where  yibba  Tbulh  met  them,  and  was  not  a 
little  amazed  when  he  faw  the  cafe  with  which  the  bru 
finefs  was  managed. — The  General,  accompanied  by  the 
^tmgalb  people,  came,  as  invited,  to  breakfaft  with  the 

Mngltfih 


THE  PE  LEW  ISLANDS.  129 

Engit/h.  They  fhewed  them  their  tents,  and  the  work 
that  was  goin^r  forward,  with  which  they  feemed  aftonifli- 
ed,  and  particularly  with  the  fwivel  and  fix-pounder. 
When  they  were  (hewn  the  fmall  arms,  they  by  forcible 
geftures  feemed  to  defcribe  that  thofe  were  the  inllru- 
ments  which  had  killed  fo  many  of  their  count»7men 
at  Artlngall.  They  did  not  appear  to  entertain  the 
flighteft  animofity,  but  ihook  hands  with  the  Engll/Jj 
in  much  amity,  and  received  the  civilities  'offered  them 
witli  great  thankfulnefs — At  noon  there  were  fqualls, 
accompanied  with  heavy  rain.  Captain  had  plen- 

ty of  fifh  fent  him,  and  fome  large  Ktma  Coclkst  which 
are  all  well  known  In  the  Eafl,  as  alfo  in  Europe,  from  the 
number  of  their  fliells  which  are  brought  over  to  adorn 
grottos  and  fountains. 

Oftober  20.  The  King  fent  again  more  fifh  to  the 
Engl'ijb,  with  a large  bafket  of  yams,  and  another  of 
plantains. — P.aa  Kook  being  indifpofed,  did  not  come 
to  breakfaft,  but  fent  to  defire  Captain  JVUfon  and  the 
Surgeon  would  come  over  to  fee  him.  When  they  got 
there  the  King  was  gone  to  the  wreck.  They  found 
the  General  very  feverifh,  from  the  pain  of  a large  boil' 
on  his  arm,  which  Mr.  Sharp  fomented  and  drefied; 
he  had  feveral  people  about  him»  among  whom  were 
two  women,  who  appeared  much  fcratched  about  the 
breaft  and  ftomach,  as  if  with  pins:  they  inquired  the 
caufe,  but  not  h.aving  the  linguift  with  them,  could 
only  learn  that  it  was  done  with  a prickly  kind  of  long' 
leaf;  and  from  tlie  apparent  concern  of  thefe  women,  it 
was  conceived,  that  the  wounding  themfelves  was  an 
external  mark  of  fon'ow  for  the  General’s  indlfpofition. 
In  the  evening  they  returned  to  fee  him,  and  found 
him  much  better.  The  King  was  then  come  on  fhore, 
and  feemed  much  pleafcd  with  the  attention  fliewn*  his 
brother;  he  appeared  on  this  occafion  to  be  particularly 
anxious  on  his  account,  and  indeed  our  people  had  re- 
peated opportunities  to  difeover,  that  Abba  Ehvlh  tefll- 
fied  to  every  part  of  his  family  a moll  affcdlionate  and 
tender  difpofition. 


When 


130  A N A C C O U N T O F 

i When  the  fifhing  canoes  came  in,  a large  portion  of 
what  they  had  taken  was  given  to  the  Engltfh.  Whilft 
they  were  fitting  with  the  King,  a flying  fox  fettled  on 
a tree  near  where  they  were;  Captain  JVilfon’s  fervant, 
who  had  been  Ihooting  pigeons  in  that  part  of  the  ifland, 
juft  then  coming  up,  and  having  his  piece  loaded,  fliot 
it.  This  is  an  animal  that  has  feme  fimilitude  to  our 
bat,  but  is  five  or  fix  times  larger;  it  refembles  a fox  in 
its  head,  and  hath  much  fuch  a fmell.  The  natives  call 
ir  Oleek.  It  runs  alCng  the  ground,  and  up  trees  like 
a cat ; it  has  befides  wings,  which  extend  pretty  wide, 
by  which  it  flies  like  a bird.  The  Pelew  people  broil 
and  eat  them  wheneva'  they  can  knock  them  down,, 
efteeming  them  a great  delicacy;  on  which  account  the 
Engiyh,  whenever  they  faw  any,  ufed  to  fhoot  them  for 
the  King;  being,  like  the  tame  pigeon,  a privileged 
difti  for  thofe  of  a certain  rank,  'i'he  Artingall  people 
who  were  prefent,  feeing  the  animal  drop  from  the  top 
of  a lofty  tree,  without  any  thing  apparently  paffing 
to  it,  one  of  them  ran  to  take  it  up,  and  on  examin- 
ing it,  perceived  the  holes  which  the  fliot  had  pierced, 
and  remarked,  that  'uch  of  their  own  countrymen  as 
loft  their  lives  in  the  bte  battles,  fell  down  with  holes 
in  their  bodies  juft  lil  this  animal,  and  died. 

'Whilft  thefe  men  t.  sified  their  natural  furprife, 

"Thulle  and  the  General,  who  were  now  become  mafters 
of  the  power  and  of  the  mufket,  could  not  for- 

bear fmiling  at  finding  their  Arttngall  vifitors  had  at  laft 
difeovered  what  had  io  completely  defeated  their  force, 
as  well  as  overpowered  their  comprehenfion. 

Odlober  2i.  In  the  morning  our  people  received, 
their  fifli,  cured  as  ufual. — About  nine  o’clock  tlie 
King  came  round  with  his  canoes  and  attendants,  in- 
his  vay  to  Pekw. — He  landed,  examined  the  works, 
and  obferved,  on  looking  at  the  pinnace,  that  it  want- 
ed repairing. — Before  he  went  away,  he  aflted  the  Cap- 
tain if  the  EngViJh  would  go  and  fight  for  him  once  more, 
though  he  did  not  explain  againft  whom  he  was  going 
to  war;  he  was  anfwered  that  they  repjdily  would. — •H<r 
then  went  on  board  his  canoe,  finT;  defiring  Tom  Rofe 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  131 

and  another  of.  our  people  might  go  back  with  him 
Peleiu.  This  was  agreed  to,  and  Mr.  Devis  expreffed 
wifh  to  accompany  the  linguift. — In  the  converfation 
Captain  IVUfon  had  with  the  King  this  day,  he  ap- 
peared extremely  anxious  that  our  people  would  not 
leave  his  countr)’’  without  making  him  previoufly  ac- 
quainted of  the  time  they  intended  going,  faying  he 
would  fend  two  men  with  them  to  England,  and  promif- 
ed  to  give  them  colors  to  paint  their  veflTel. — Raa  Kook 
was  much  prclTed  to  remain  at  Orodiong  till  his  arm  was 
• quite  well,  but  he  feid  he  could  not  then  conveniently 
llay,  but  would  very  foon  return. — Our  people  conjec- 
tured his  prefence  was  neceflary  at  the  council  which  w?s 
to  be  held  on  the  expedition  they  were  then  projedf- 
ing. — ;'When  the  jolly-boat  returned  from  the  wreck,  fi  e 
was  fent  down  to  Pelew  for  the  paint.. — After  dinner 
every  man  received  a file,  to  give  to  his  Sucalic  or  friend; 
Captain  W'tljon  having  taken  into  cullody  all  the  tools 
and  pieces  of  iron,  that  our  people  might  difpofe  of  them 
judicloufly. 

Odober  22*  Frefh  gales  from  the  N.  E.  and  fair 
weather. — The  provifions  w«-e  overhauled,  to  dry  and 
air  them.  The  jolly-boat,  that  had  followed  the  King 
•to  Pehw,  returned  with  the  paint  he  had  proiriifed, 
confining  of  red  and  yellow  ochre,  * of  which  he  fent  a 
quantity  fufficient  to  color  the  veflel  three  or  four  times  ; 
he  charged  the  men  who  brought  it  to  be  particularly 
careful  to  keep  the  balkets  in  which  the  colors  were 
packed  from  being  wet,  and  defired  them  to  acquaint 
the  Captain,  that  when  he  came  up  to  go  againfl  Pele- 
hnv  (the  place  to  which  he  was  diredling  his  expediti- 
on) he  would  bring  men  with  him  to  paint  the  veflel.— 
In  the  afternoon  there  were  hard  fqualls  of  wind  from 
the  northward,  with  heavy  rain. -i-The  jolly-boat,  in  the 
evening,  returning  from  the  watering-place,  was  follow- 
ed by  two  canoes  to  the  mouth.of  the  harbour. — It  waa 

thought, 

• Thefe  were  the  only  natural  colors  they  had,  though  they 
occaConally  applied  black  and  white  in  fome  of  their  ornaments, 
the  former  made  from  burnt  cocoa-nut  IhcUs,  the  latter  from 
Tjumt  corah 


132  AN  ACCOUNTOF 

thouglit,  by  their  not  coming  in,  that  they  were  people 
from  Feklew. 

Oftober  23.  The  caulkers  this  day  finifhed  caulking 
the  bottom  of  the  vefTel,  and  alfo  completed  the  plank- 
ing of  the  topfides,  and  in  the  evening  handed  water  into 
her  to  try  for  lealcs. 

Next  day  all  were  bufied  in  caullcing  her  upper  works, 
and  fixing  the  fteps  for  the  mafts.  The  jolly-boat  was 
defpatched  to  Pelew  to  fetch  Mr.  Devis  and  Tom  Rofe  ; 
Mr.  Sharp  was  fent  down  in  her  to  vifit  Raa  Kooi,  and 
fee  if  he  could  be  of  further  ufe  to  his  arm ; and  foon 
after  his  departure  a canoe  came  in  from  the  King, 
loaded  with  ranv  yams,  having  received  none  after  the 
lirft  ten  days  but  what  were  lent  ready  drsJU 

Oftober  25.  The  caulking  of  the  outfide  of  the 
veffel  was  finifhed  this  day. — The  jolly-boat  brought 
back  the  furgeon ; the  King  and  all  his  people  at  Pele'0> 
being  wonderfully  pleafed  at  this  mark  of  attention  paid 
to  their  favorite  the  General.  Mr,  Sharp,  on  going, 
found  Raa  Kook  much  better;  one  of  the  Pelew  fur- 
geons  had  cut  out  the  core  of  the  boi4  and  the  flefli 
about  it,  with  one  of  the  fame  ordinary  knives  which 
had  been  applied  to  the  foot  of  his  fon.  Mr.  Sharp 
drefled  the  wound,  and  left  him  feveral  other  dreffings, 
with  neceffary  direftions,  and  he  foon  got  perfeflly 
well. 

When  one  confiders  that  thefc  medical  gentlemen  at 
Pelew  never  parfued  any  other  method  but  cutting  out 
the  part  affefted ; and  that  till  the  prefent  asra,  when 
accident  had  thrown  in  their  way  a few  two-penny  knives, 
their  operations  were  performed  by  Ihells  ground  to  an 
edge ; one  muft  wonder  at  the  boldnefs  of  the  praftice^ 
and,  living  ourfelves  in  countries  where  the  anatomy  of 
the  human  frame  and  the  art  of  furgery  are  fo  well  un- 
derftood  and  perfeftioned,  aided  too  by  fuch  admirable 
inftruments,  one  cannot  avoid  feeling  for  the  corporal 
fufferings  of  thofe  whom  difeafe  or  accident  fubjefted 
to  be  praftifed  on  by  a Pelew  furgeon. 

When  the  jolly-boat  returned  with  Mr.  Sharp  and 
Tom  Rofe  (Mr.  Devis  choofing  to  remain  till  the  King 

vrtat 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  13^ 

vent  againft  Pdehw)  it  brought  plenty  of  yams  and 
'fvveetmeats,  and  alfo  five  young  wild  ducks  juft  fledged, 
the  ouly  bird  of  the  duck  kind  our  people  faw  in  thefe 
parts. — Tom  Rofe  informed  the  Captain,  that  what  ^bha 
'Thulle  wanted  him  for,  was  to  make  more  inquiries  of 
him  concerning  the  Enghjh,  and  to  give  liim  fome  ac- 
count of  the  different  people  they  were  at  war  with. 

Oclobcr  26.  This  morning  the  veflcl’s  bottom  was 
breamed ; the  outftde  caulking  being  completed,  to  the 
great  Joy  of  all. — They  now  filled  up  the  trench  under 
the  veffel,  and  broke  down  the  dam,  nhich  was  a work 
of  fomc  labor,  as  the  bank  had  become  as  folid  and  firm 
as  if  formed  by  nature;  they  alfo  cleared  and  floated 
the  pinnace.  While  employed  about  this  work,  ten 
canoes  were  obferved  coming  into  the  harbour  ; thefe. 
came  from  the  land  to  the  fouthward ; they  were  at  firfl: 
thought  to  be  from  Pdelew,  but  afterwards  difeovered 
to  be  ftrangers  going  to  join  j^bla  Thulk. — They  gave 
our  people  fome  yams  of  a different  kind  to  any  they 
had  feen  before,  being  of  a ftravv  color,  tinged  with  a 
gritty  red.  Thefe  ftrangers  were  treated  with  flrerbet, 
and  carried  round  all  the  places  where  the  works  were 
going  on;  ftiewn  the  veffel,  and  every  thing  that  was 
judged  might  pleafe  or  entertain  them.  They  viewed 
every  object  with  that  degree  of  furprlfe  which  might 
naturally  be  expected;  bat  by  the  little  diffidence  they 
expreffed  in  coming  on  (bore,  and  from  being  lefs  ftriuk 
with  the  color  of  our  people  than  the  other  natives  of 
thefe  regions  had  been  before,  it  was  fuppofed  they  had 
come  with  minds  fully  prepared  to  meet  with  thole  ob- 
jefts  which  their  vifit  to  Oroolong  difplayed  to  them. 
There  was  an  old  Rupack  with  them,  who  afterwards 
went  into  the  Captain’s  tent,  and  amufed  himfelf  in 
counting  the  leaves  of  a book,  that  was  lying  there; 
which  trying  two  or  three  times  to  do,  after  getting  to 
fifty  or  fixty,  he  gave  up  the  point,  faying  there  were 
too  nvrny.  They  ftayed  about  two  hours  on  (hore,  and 
on  going  away  the  Captain  prefented  the  Rupack  with 
fome  pieces  of  iron. 


M 


CHAPTER 


134 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF 


CHAPTER  XVTI. 


Th:  King  comes  for  ten  Men  nvho  nvere  to  go  nvlth  him 

Peldew ' great  Stosnn  at  Oloorong.  — Intel- 

Ugence  arrives  that  the  Expedition  to  Pelelew  had  ended 
peaceably. — The  Englifii  return,  and  give  an  Account 
of  the  Manner  of  its  Progrefs  and  Termination. — Re- 
joicings on  the  Occaf.on  at  Pelew The  King  notifies  an 

intended  vifit  to  the  Engli/h  before  their  Departure. 

0£l.  I ^ H E morning  was  cloudy,  with  light  winds 
27.  J.  from  the  northward  ; the  boats  employed 
in  getting  fome  more  llores  from  the  fhip.  In  the  af- 
ternoon a great  number  of  canoes  came  from  Pelew, 
they  were  moft  of  them  from  the  iflands  to  the  north- 
ward; in  one  of  thefe  Mr.  Devis  returned;  he  brought 
intelligence  that  almofl,  every  ifland  in  alliance  with  Ab- 
ba Tkullc  had  fent  fome  forces,  and  that  he  really  thought 
there  were  upwards  of  three  hundred  canoes  aflembled 
r.t  Pelenu  to  go  on  this  expedition  ; that  when  they  left 
that  place  they  feparated  in  three  divifions,  making  a 
very  fine  appearance;  that  two  of  them  went  towards 
Pelelcnv;  and  the  third  divifion,  in  which  was  the  King 
and  Raa  Konh,  were  coming  to  Oroolong  ior  the  Engli/h; 
that  he  had  declined  accompanying  the  King,  in  order 
to  have  an  opportunity  of  viewing  the  fleet.  About 
four  o’clock  in  the  afternoon  the  King  and  Raa  Kook 
arrived,  and  the  pinnace  (that  had  undergone  repair) 
having  juft  before  returned  from  the  wreck,  the  follow- 
ing men  made  themfelves  ready  to  go,  viz.  Thomas  Wil- 
fon,  Nicholafs  Tyacke,  Madan  Blanchard,  fames  Snvift, 
'Thomas  Whitfield,  fohn  Duncan,  Thomas  Dulton,  William 
Steward,  William  Roberts,  and  Mr.  M.  W'llfon;  before 
night  they  were  all  embarked  and  out  of  the  harbour, 
the  Engrjls  giving  them  three  cheers  at  their  putting  off 
il-oin  the  fhore,  which  was  returned  by  the  wliole  fleet ; 

our 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  135: 

our  ptople  devoutly  \vifl}ing  this  expedition  might  he  the 
hft. — In  tl'.e  night  tlie  weather  became  overenft,  and  there 
was  fome  l ainj  which  before  nsorning  became  very  •hea- 
vy, accompanied  with  {Irong  gy.les  of  wind  and  fqualls, 
which  carried  away  all  the  awnings  that  were  laid  over 
the  veffel,  though  the  dock-yard  was  in  a manner  ihelter- 
ed  by  the  hills.  Nor  was  the  next  day  more  layorable, 
the  morning  being  cloui’r,  with  a frefh  gale  of  wind 
fiorri  the  northward,' and  frequent  ihewers  ; in  the  after- 
noon they  alfo  had  haial  fqualls,  accompanied  with  thun- 
der, liglitning,  and  rain;  towards  evening  the  lightning 
to  the  eaftward  was  llrong,  with  diftant  thunder.  After 
the  bad  clofe  of  day,  the  night  was  rendered  truly  tre- 
mendous by  the  dreadful  conflict  of  the  agitated  elements. 
Situated  as  the  En^llfb  W'jre  under  the  flielter  of  pro- 
tedxing  hills,  they  apprehended  all  their  cents  would, have 
been  blown  down;  and  much  feared  their  -.effel  might 
be  fliook  off  its  block-. ; much  difquietude  was  alfo  felt 
for  the  fafety  of  their  abient  countrymen:  which- all  to- 
gether rendered  tlic  night  extremely  uncomfortable.  The 
morning  was  however  dry  though  cloudy,  with  a freO'i 
breeze  from  the  S.  E.  in  the  afternoon  a fmall  canoe, 
with  two  men  and  a boy,  came  to  the  watering-place, 
feeming  to  be  looking  about  for  the  canoes,  but  not 
finding  them,  they  paddled  up  to  the  windward  pait  of 
the  iiland,  then  fet  their  fail  and  flood  over  towards  Pcle- 
lew.  About  midnight,  the  weather  being  fine,  a canoe 
was  feen  coming  towards  the  harbour,  which  being 
hailed  by  the  guard,  the  people  in  it  calling  out  the 
word  Englces,  it  was  permitted  to  enter  the  cove;  in  her 
was  the  Rupack  named  Erra  Zook,  Mr.  Sharp's  Sucalic, 
or  friend,  whom  tlie  reader  will  recolleft  treated  t’lat 
gentleman  and  Captain  JVllfon  with  fo  much  hpfpitallty 
when  they  went  to  fee  his  fick  child  ; his  arrival  awaken- 
ed ail  the  Engltfh,  and  brought  them  together,  anxious 
to  hear  fome  account  of  their  friends.  This  Chief  gave 
them  to  unden'land,  that  there  had  been  no  engagement, 
at  Pildszo;  the  inhabitants,  on  the  King’s  approach,, 
laid  down  their  fpears,  and  came  and  fupplicated  Ella 
Ihullr,  for  peace,  prefenting  liira  with  beads,  and  de- 


136  ANACCOUNTOF 

livering  up  to  him  two  men  who  had  belonged  to  the 
Malay  wreck. — Art-a  Zook  was'  welcomed  with  every 
teftimony  of  gratitude,  both  in  remembrance  of  his 
former  kindnefs,  as  alfo  for  his  prefent  good  news. 

Oftober  3 1 . Soon  after  day-light  another  canoe  ar- 
rived, which  brought  information  that  the  fleet  was  re- 
turning from  the  expedition.  About  ten  o’clock  in 
the  forenoon  two  more  came  into  tlie  harbour,  in  one 
of  which  was  yohn  Duncan.,  who  gave  the  following  ac- 
count of  this  expedition  againfl.  Pelelca;,  which  account 
was  fully  confirmed  by  the  others  who  had  been  with 
him,  at  their  return. — In  the  evening  that  they  left 
Oroolong  (which  was  the  27th)  they  got  to  the  fmall 
ifland  to  the  fouthward  of  that  place ; hauled  up  their 
canoes,  and  laid  under  fome  rocks  all  night. — In  the 
morning,  at  day-break,  they  went  to  an  ifland  four  or 
five  leagues  further  to  the  fouthward,  which  was  unin- 
habited, and  lay  about  four  or  five  miles  diflant  from 
Pchlciv;  here  they  built  huts,  or  wigwams,  and  encamped, 
the  weather  being  very  bad  ; when  it  became  a little  more 
moderate,  a party  of  the  Pehnv  pecJple  went  to  another 
ifland,  not  far  diflant  from  the  firfl,  which  belonged  to 
Pelelew,  and  deflroyed  the  plantations  of  yams,  burnt 
the  houfes,  and  cut  down  the  cocoa-nut  trees,  of  which 
there  was  a great  number.  The  inhabitants  had  quitted 
the  ifland  before  the  people  of  Pclcnv  landed.  Only  two 
of  the  Engl'ijh  were  fent  on  this  party ; who  having  de- 
molifhed  as  much  as  they  could,  returned  to  the  en- 
campment before  fun-fet. — The  next  morning  the  wea- 
ther was  veiy  bad,  but  the  afternoon  being  moderate,  a 
party  w’as  fent  to  the  fame  ifland  again,  to  deflroy  whate- 
ver might  have  efcaped  the  ravage  of  the  preceding  day  ; 
three  of  the  Englijh  w'ent  on  this  fervice.  — In  the  even- 
ing all  the  party  retsrned,  as  before,  to  the  camp. — 
The  fecond  morning  tw'o  Rupacks  came  from  Peklenv  to 
the  camp,  and  foon  after  returned  back,  accompanied 
by  the  linguills;  who  in  the  evening  rejoined  the  King’s 
forces,  attended  by  three  of  the  Pelekw  Chiefs. — A 
council  was  held  by  the  King  foon  after  their  arrival ; 
and  the  fucceeding  morning  Arm  Kookir  went  to  Pcle~ 


THE  FELEW  ISLANDS.  137 

lew,  and  concluded  the  peace. — After  his  return,  wliich 
was  early  in  the  forenoon,  the  King  fent  to  the  Eugl'i/h, 
to  acquaint  them  that  peace  was  made  with  the  Pekh’w 
people,  and  defired  to  know  if  they  vvlihed  to  fee  the 
town,  in  which  cafe  his  brother,  Arra  Kooker,  would 
accompany  them;  himfelf  and  Rna  Kook  not  meaning 
to  go  on  (bore.  This  meffage  a little  furprifed  the  Eng- 
li/h,  until  it  was  explained  to  them  by  the  linguift;  who 
informed  them,  that  no  Rupack  of  higher  rank  than 
Arra  Kooker  could,  in  the  prelent  fituation  of  the  Eek- 
Uw  people,  go  thither ; as  it  would  be  too  great  an 
honor  and  condefcenfion  in  the  King,  either  to  go  him- 
felf,  or  fend  the  perfon  next  in  rank  to  him. — This  be- 
ing explained,  the  Engli/h  accepted  the  King’s  olTer  to 
viht  Pelelew,  but  agreed  amoagft  themfelves  to  take 
their  arms,  and  keep  together  when  on  fliore,  left  any 
mifunderftanding  taking  place  (as  the  peace  was  but  juft 
made)  they  might  be  furprifed.  They  were  accompa- 
nied by  a great  number  of  the  Pelcw  people,  and  re- 
ceived in  a very  friendly  manner  by  the  inhabitants, 
who  entertained  them  according  to  the  cuftom  of  the 
country,  with  the  ufual  refreflunents.  Tiicy  reported, 
that  the  town  was  defended  by  a ftone  wall  tlwowa  up 
acrofs  the  caufeway  which  leads  up  to  it ; that  this  wall 
was  ten  or  twelve  feet  high,  with  a foot-bank  of  ftone 
raifed  behind,  upon  which  they  could  ftand  and  throw 
fpears  at  their  enemies.  That  the  wate  - ,ear  the  town 
was  fo  very  ftiallow,  that  canoes  could  only  go  in  at 
high-water.  This  circumftance,  of  tlie  difficulty  of 
accefs,  might  be  a reafon  why  they  law  fo  few  cr.noes 
belonging  to  Pelelew,  though  it  appeared  to  be  a popu- 
lous ifland;  and  their  manner  of  fortifying  the  entrance  of 
their  town  by  a ftrong  and  high  wall,  afforded  juft  rea- 
fon to  apprehend,  that  whenever  they  were  at  war  with 
the  neighbouring  iflands,  they  confided  more  in  their 
internal  ftrength  than  in  their  naval  force. — After  the 
pacification  had  taken  place,  and  Alba  PhuUe's  party 
had  (hared  the  hofpitallty  of  that  enemy  they  had  arm- 
ed themfelves  to  combat,  they  returned  to  Pelew.  The 
King  of  Pelelew  accoirpanjng  his  brother  King,  though 
M 3 in 


138  ANACCOUNTOF 

la  one  of  his  own  canoes,  carrying  ten  women  in  his 
train ; whether  this  was  a mark  of  humiliation  fhewn  to 
y}bba  7hulle,  or  a public  tdlimony  of  friendfhip  and 
confidence  being  re-eftabhihed  between  them,  our  peo- 
ple could  not  underftand ; but  certain  it  was,  that  all 
the  women  did  not  return  again  to  Pclelciv  with  their 
King,  as  two  of  them  came  forwards  to  Oroolong  with 
ylhba  7 hulk,  but  whether  they  remained  on  a vifit,  or 
as  hoftages,  they  were  not  eertain. — The  two  Malays 
were  unqueftionably  given  up  to  the  King ; and  it 
is  not  improbable  but  that  he  might  have  been  infti- 
gated  by  Songk,  the  Malay  favorite,  to  demand  his 
two  countrymen,  and  that  the  King  of  Pekkw  refufing 
to  give  them  up,  might  increafe  whatever  mifunder- 
lianding  fubfifted  before,  and  fo  excite  the  Pelevj  peo- 
ple to  go  on  this  hoftile  expedition,  in  which  they  ap- 
pear to  have  exerclfed  a rancour  undifeovered  in  their 
ether  contentions:  which  the  King  of  Pekknv,  by  his 
■well-timed  fubmiffion  to  terms,  happily  faved  his  peo- 
ple from  more  fully  experiencing. — Before  noon.  Ran 
Kook  came  to  Oroolong  with  a number  of  canoes,  bring- 
ing with  him  all  our  countrymen;  who  commended 
much  the  pleafantnefs  of  the  illand  of  Pelekiv,  faid . it 
appeared  fertile,  the  land  more  level  than  hilly,  and 
that  the  houfes  rvere  rather  larger  and  better  built  than 
thofe  at  Pi’hvj,  having  abundance  of  cocoarRut  and 
other  trees  about  them.  The  inhabitants  feemed  to 
be  .courteous,  friendly,  and  well  difpofed;  and  fliewed 
particular  attention  to  the  Engll/h,  although  they  had 
come  there  as  a formidable  ally  to  their  enemy. 

Kbba  Thtlle,  accompanied  by  the  Pekleiu  King,  went 
immediately  to  his  own  Ifland,  which  the  Englifb  now, 
for  the  firll;  time,  learnt,  was  called  Coorooraa,  Pehnu 
being  only  the  capital,  or  refidence  of  the  King. — 
Captain  JVilfon,  converfing  with  Ran  Kook  on  the  fub- 
jeft  of  the  late  expedition,  inquired  wh.re  all  the  fleet  of 
ca.aoes  came  from  that  had  attended  the  King  at  this 
time;  the  General,in  anfwer,  enumerated  the  place,  in  the 
following  order,  beginning  at  the  northward:  Emungs, 
giramalorgoo,  Emxlkgtie^  Arroguy,  Qoorooraa,  Caragaba, 

Pithoull, 


T H E,  P E L E W I S L A N D S.  159 

Pethoull,  the  fmall  ifland  fo  often  mentioned,  and  whofe 
name  was  not  till  now  known,  and  Oroolong,  or  Eng- 
li/hman’s  Ifland.  Raa  Kook  feemed  very  defirous  to 
be  at  Pelew,  and  made  this  vifit  the  fliorteft  he  had 
ever  favored  the  Englijh  with,  leaving  them  immediately 
after  dinner,  and  all  the  canoes  going  with  him.  He 
defired  the  Captain  to  fend  his  boat  for  fome  molafies 
and  torches,  of  which  they  were  in  want,  our  people 
being  defirous  of  referving  their  fugar-candy  and  candles 
for  the  voyage. 

In  the  evening,  the  jolly-boat  was  got  ready,  and 
Mr.  Sharp,  with  four  of  the  men,  went  to  Pekiv,  to 
congratulate  the  King  on  his  eftablifliing  peace,  and  to 
bring  tire  things  promifed-  by  Raa  Kook. — The  morning 
being  fair,  and  the  deck  laid,  they  began  to  caulk  it ; 
when  a difficulty  arofe  with  what  they  were  to  pay  it, 
having  neither  pHch,  r^n,  or  dammer:  and  here  Provi- 
dence directed  them  to  a refource  in  the  produce  of  the 
ifland  ; for,  confulting  together  how  to  fupply  this  want, 
putty  was  propofed ; but  they  having  no  chalk  to  make 
it,  fome  of  them  recolledted  that  the  feams  of  veflels  in 
India,  and  efpecially  in  China,  were  payed  with  Ch'tnam; 
the  Chinefe  were  immediately  called,  and  queftioned 
about  the  mode  of  preparing  it ; which,  after  the  bell 
information  they  could  coUeft,  they  endeavoured  to 
imitate  in  the  following  manner: — They  took  the  coral- 
ftone,  and  making  a large  pile  or  kiln  with  it,  and  the 
branches  of  trees  they  had. cut  down,  they  burnt  it  well 
into' lime ; which  being  pounded  fine,  was  fifted  through 
bunting,  after  which  it  was  mixed  with  fuch  greafe  as 
had  been  faved  ; and  this  made  a moft  excellent  putty. 

November  2.  The  weather  being  cloudy,  with  light, 
northerly  breezes,  all  our  people  were  employed  about 
the  veffel,  when  their  attention  was  fomewhat  taken  off 
by  two  canoes  coming  into  the  harbour  to  fifli  for  bait ; 
their  method  of  doing  it  linking  all  our  feamen  as  uu-' 
common,  may,  without  impropriety,  be  mentioned : — > 
The  boatmen  look  about  for  a Ihoal  of  that  fort  of  fiflt 
which  thej'  bait  with,  which  is  not  much  unlike  our 
ffirat  j thefc  they  drive  into  fnallow  water,  and  having 

covered 


HO  ANACCOUNTOF 

• 

covered  their  canoes  and  outrijrgers  with  matting,  they 
then  make  a great  fhouting  and  noife,  fplafliing  the  wa- 
ter with  their  paddles  on  each  fide  the  fnoal,  which  fo 
frightens  the  fifii,  that  they  fpring  out  of  the  water, 
and  numbers  of  them  falling  upon  the  matting,  are  im- 
mediately fecured  in  the  ends  of  the  canoes,  which  are 
left  open  to  receive  them. 

Mr.  Sharp  retunied  in  the  evening  from  Pelew,  whilft 
our  people  were  at  prayers,  bringing  with  him  the  things 
promifed  by  Raa  Kook,  together  with  a large  quantity  of 
the  fweetmeats  called  kVoolcll.*  He  reported  that  there  was 
great  rejoicing  at  Pdevj;  that  t\\z  Rupack  of  PekLiv  was 
Hill  there,  though  probably  not  much  difpofed  to  enjoy 
the  fcllivity  his  fubiniffiou  had  given  birth  to. — The 
feafting  was  much  in  the  fame  manner  as  what  on  other 
occafions  has  already  been  deferibed ; dillinguifhed  only 
by  a fong,  apparently  compofed  fince  our  people  have 
been  at  Pele<w,  and  in  which  the  greater  part  of  the  na- 
tives always  joined.  Though  Mr.  Sharp  could  not  un- 
derftand  the  whole  fenfe  of  it,  yet  he  readily  compre- 
hended that  the  Engl'Klo  were  the  fubjeff,  by  the  frequent 
repetition  of  the  words  Englees — IVeel  a Trecoy — and  Tom 
Rofe. — This  man  going  with  the  Engiyh  upon  every  ex- 
pedition, as  interpreter,  and  poflefling  a great  fund  of 
pleafantry  and  humor,  hit  the  fancy  of  all  the  natives, 
with  whom  he  became  a wonderful  favorite. — So  fingu- 
lar  were  the  talents  of  this  truly  faithful  fellow,  that 
wherever  he  went  he  made  himfelf  not  only  ufcful,  but 
beloved ; and,  from  his  great  utility  to  Captain  WUfon 
in  his  voyage,  well  merited  the  recommendation  that 
had  been  given  him  at  Macoa — The  furgeon  further  re- 
ported the  King  of  Peleleiv  to  be  a man  much  advanced 
in  years,  of  a rough  manner  and  appearance  j his  hair 
was  grey,  and  his  beard  tapering  to  a narrow  point,  in 
the  manner  the  yevos  frequently  wear  theirs.  He  was 
Melgothd,  or  tatooed,  quite  up  to  the  navel;  the  Pe- 

lcv> 

* This  is  the  fweetmeat  which  the  failors  czWti-  choke-dog,  aftd 
which  now  their  Itomachs  found  pretty  good,  ho'iVevsr  coiucmp- 
tuoufly  they  had  thought  of  it  at  firft. 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  141 
U':u  people  only  tatooing  up  to  the  middle  of  their 
thighs,  as  already  noticed. 

It  was  not  in  the  power  of  our  people  to  obtain  any 
account,  whicli  could  be  depended  on,  of  the  number 
of  this  chain  of  iflands ; nor  could  any  eminences  they 
ever  afeended,  allow  them  to  fee  the  extent  of  them, 
cither  to  the  northward  or  fouthward. — The  new  veflel 
being  now  in  a ftate  of  great  forwardnefs,  and  the  time 
j of  their  departure  drawing  near.  Captain  IVilJcn  this 
j evening  exprefl'ed  to  his  officers  and  people  a dciirc,  be- 
fore they  failed  for  China,  to  endeavour  to  explore  thefe 
iflands,  upon  which  Providence  had  thrown  them,  and 
that  ten  or  twelve  days  might  effeft  the  defign  ; that 
they  had  a quantity  of  proviflon  fufficient  to  authorize 
, the  attempt ; and  that  he  would  apply  to  the  King  for 
three  or  four  canoes,  with  men,  to  accompany  them 
through  the  iflands,  and  to  affift  them  in  afeertaining 
their  number,  fituation,  and  extent. — That  he  did  not 
mean  to  make  a furvey  of  them  ; but  that  it  would  be 
a great  fatisfaflion,  both  to  themfelves  and  their  Em- 
ployers, to  have  a general  account  of  thefe  iflands,  on 
which  no  European  had  ever  been  before ; as  alfo  to 
know  whether  there  was  any  apparent  difference  in 
the  inhabitants,  their  manners,  or  cuftoms. — He  was 
liftened  to  with  a great  deal  of  attention  ; but  the  near 
profpeft  before  every  man’s  eyes,  of  being  liberated  from 
a place  whence,  a fliort  time  before,  none  had  any  juft 
hope  of  ever  departing  ; the  fear  of  its  proving  a much 
longer  bulinefs  than  apprehended  \ the  uncertainty  of 
what  difficulties  they  might  meet  with,  ffiould  they  have 
hoftilities  to  encounter,  which  was  more  than  probable 
might  be  the  eafe,  from  the  inhabitants  of  feme  of  the 
remote  iflands  ; thefe  combined  confiderations  prefented 
themfelves  to  moft  of  them  as  rilks  not  advifable  to 
be  run,  after  the  hardffiips  they  had  already  fuftained ; 
which,  added  to  the  natural  wiffi  of  every  individual  to 
return  to  his  native  country  whilft  opportunity  offered, 
they  defired  the  Captain  to  give  up  all  thoughts  of  fuch 
an  attempt,  and  not  to  make  any  mention  thereof  to  the 
King,  left  it  might  be  the  means  of  detaining  them. 

And 


142  ANACCOUNTOF 

And  thus  was  ftifled  the  defire  of  all  further  inquiry, 
more  efpecially  when  Mr.  Sharp  acquainted  them,  that, 
he  was  commiffioned  by  Jlha  Thulh  to  inform  them, 
that  he  would  in  about  four  days  pay  them  a vifit,  and 
flay  with  them  till  their  departure,  and  that  he  would 
then  paint  their  veffel. — This  meflage  awakened  fufpici- 
ons  in  feveral  minds  of  the  King’s  defigns,  which,  be- 
caufe  they  breathed  on  every  occafion  fuch  perfedl  good- 
will towards  our  people,  were  judged  by  many  of  them 
to  be  infincere,  or  treacherous  ; unwilling  to  give  credit 
to  human  nature  for  the  exercife  of  all  the  noble  fenti- 
ments  ofdiberality,  uncontrouled,  or  uncciitaminated  by 
art  or  intereft. 


CHAPTER 


THE  PE  LEW  ISLANDS.  145 


C PI  A P T E R XVIII. 


r reparations  made  for  the  Completion  of  the  V ffel,  and  fe~ 
curing  her  being fafely  launched. — Great  Sufplcions  enter- 
tained on  the  King’s  Mffage,  which  Captain  Wilfon  en- 
deavours  to  quiet. — Steps  taken  by  our  People  to  make  Re- 
ft/lance, in  Cafe  their  Departure  faould  be  impeded. — The 
Captain  fends  Mr.  Sharp  and  P/lr.  M.  Wilfon  to  Po- 
le w,  with  all  the  Tools  aud  Iron  they  could  fpare.,  with 
/IJfwrances  of  the  rejl,  as  f non  as  the  Vejfel  was  launched ; 
and  to  notify  to  the  King  that  he  purpofed  to  fail  in  fi.t  or 
feven  Days. — They  meet  the  King  and  his  Retinue  on  their 
Way  to  Oroolong. — Go  back  with  him  to  the  Ifland  of 
PethouU,  where  they  pafs  the  Night. — Abba  Thulle  r.  - 
ceives  the  Prefents  gracioufly. — jd  great  Supper  of  the 
King’s  defcribed. — They  all  come  next  Day  to  Oroolong. 
— Madan  Blanchard  informs  Captain  Wilfon  of  a Refo- 
lution  he  had  taken  to  remain  behind  with  the  Natives;  — 
after  Arguments  ufed  in  vain  to  dffuade  him.,  he  is  pro- 
pofed  to  the  King  to  be  left  at  Pelew,  who,  pleafed  with 
the  Circumflance,  takes  him  under  his  PrcteUion. 

Nov.’’  I ' HE  weather  being  now  fair  and  fettled,  with 
3.  JL  frelh  gales  of  wind  from  the  N.  E.  the  car- 
penters were  employed  in  making  the  rudder,  and  Al- 
bert Picrfon  the  quarter-mailer,  in  making  the  mails  out 
of  fome  of  the  fmall  fpjys  faved  from  the  wreck  ; fonie 
bufied  in  caulking  the  deck,  and  others  in  painting  the 
fides,  which,  in  addition  to  the  coat  that  the  King’s 
people  Intended  to  give  her,  would  be  fufficient  to  keep 
out  the  weather.  In  the  evening  they  held  a confultati- 
on  about  the  method  of  launching  their  veflel,  which 
they  had  now  nearly  completed,  when  it  was  agreed  to 
lay  ways,  though  it  had  been  propofed  by  fome  to  do 
it  by  large  rollers,  as  they  fometimes  launch  cutters. — 
This  was  a matter  of  ferious  mom.ent,  for  had  any  acci- 
dent 


144  AN  ACCOUNT  OF 

dent  happened  to  the  velTel  during  this  operation,  then- 
tools  being  nearly  worn  out,  and  their  former  refources 
from  the  wreck  at  an  end,  their  deftiny  muft,  in  all  hu- 
man probability,  have  been  to  have  palled  the  remainder 
of  their  days,  exiled  from  the  reft  of  the  world,  in  thefe 
remote  iflands. 

November  4.  This  morning  many  hands  went  to 
work  in  cutting  down  trees  to  make  blocks,  and  launch- 
ing ways,  others  in  giving  the  bottom  of  the  veffel  ano- 
ther coat  of  Chinam.  ■ 1 \vo  canoes  being  feen  near  the 
harbour,  before  night,  and  neither  of  them  coming  in, 
was  a.  circumftance  which  contributed  not  a little  to  in- 
creafe  the  fufpicions  entertained  by  bur  people,  thefe  ca- 
noes being  conjeftured  to.be  fpies  watching  their  moti- 
ons ; they  having  entertained  an  idea  that  the  natives 
intended  to  prevent  their  departure.  At  dark  they  went 
to  a quarter-watch,  loaded  the  fwivel  and  fix-pounder 
with  grape-lhot,  and  kept  a good  look  out  to  prevent 
furprife — The  alarm  our  people  felt,  was,  that  being 
near  leaving  the  iflands,  the  natives  (who  had  experi- 
enced the  great  utility  the  Englifh  were  of  to  them) 
might  endeavour  to  detain  them,  by  attempting  to  feize 
their  arms,  and  poflefs  themfelves  of  their  veffel. — :It 
was  in  vain  that  Captain  IVilfon  ftrove  to  remove  thefe 
apprehenfions,  by  recalling  to  their  remembrance  the 
generofity  the  King  and  aU  his  people  had  (hewn  them, 
on  every  occafion,  fince  they  had  been  thrown  upon  his 
territories ; that  his  behaviour  had  been  always  to  them 
humane,  unreferved,  and  unfufpicious ; that  therefore 
there  could  be  no  room  now  to  doubt  the  linceiity  of 
a people,  who  had,  in  all  the  time  they  had  been  under 
their  protection,  never  given  them  any  real  caufe  for 
miftruft  ; that  it  materially  behoved  them,  in  their  pre- 
fcnt  lituation,  not  to  let  the  natives  fee  they  entertained 
any  ; that  by  doing  otherwife  they  might  put  ideas  into 
their  minds,  which,  but  for  their  own  indifcretion, 
might  never  have  occurred.  Nor  did  he  fail  to  fet  be* 
fore  them  the  little  avail  of  all  the  force  of  Che  Englt/k, 
if  the  natives  were  refolved  upon  any  fuch  enterpriie  as 
they  fufpefted  5 he  reprejfented  to  them,  that  their  am- 
munition 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  145 
munition  mufl;  be  foon  expended,  in  cafe  of  hoflilities ; 
that  the  natives  could  hinder  their  embarking,  even  if 
their  veflel  was  launched ; that  it  was  in  their  power, 
without  coming  to  extremities,  to  make  them  fubmit  to 
any  terms,  by  depriving  them  of  the  fpring  of  frefh  wa- 
ter, Ihould  they  choofe  to  come  to  the  ifland  in  any 
number. 

All  thefe  arguments  were  ineffeiflual  to  fnbdue  the  ge- 
neral apprehenfion,  not  more  than  two  or  three  uniting 
in  fentiment  with  the  Captain ; it  was  therefore  con- 
cluded, after  a long  confultation  oh  the  matter,  that  eve- 
ry one  Ihould  be  ftriftly  on  his  guard  ; that  the  fwivels 
and  fix-pounder  Ihould  continue  to  be  kept  loaded  with 
grape-fliot,  the  fmall  arms  ready  charged  with  ball,  and 
the  cartouch-boxes  filled  with  loaded  cartridges ; but 
that  every  one  Ihould  carefully  avoid  all  appearance  of 
fufpicion,  iinlefs  any  uncommon  number  of  canoes  fliould 
pour  into  the  bay,  or  thofe  who  were  in  them  appear 
armed  w’ith  fpears,  or  approach  with  any  hollile  parade, 
in  which  cafe  every  method  Ihould  be  taken  to  defend 
themfelves ; and,  as  their  numbers  w'ere  inadequate  to 
refill  fuch  a multitude  as  might  attack  them,  that  they 
mull  then  ufe  their  abilities  in  fmgling  out  the  Chiefs, 
and  by.  fuch  a meafure  throw  confulion  and  difmay 
among  the  reft. 

As  the  faithful  hiftorian  of  thefe  tranfadtions,  it  is  my 
duty  to  record  every  material  occurrence ; though  1 muifc 
confefs  that  my  hand  -(hrinks  from  the  paper,  whilll,  im- 
prefled  with  horror  and  pity,  I am  compelled  to  relate, 
that  the  lives  firil  intended  to  be  devoted  were,  thofe  of 
the  humane,  liberal  King,  the  manly  and  benevolent 
Genera],  the  facetious  and  inoffenfive  Arra  Kuohtr.  But,, 
however  this  refolution  may  fliock  the  reader,  yet  he 
will  candidly  aferibe  this  daring  conception,  not  to  a 
want  of  that  generofity  which  is  one  of  the  cliaracler- 
iftlcs  of  my  countrymen,  nor  to  a forgetfulnefs  of  the 
bonds  of  hofpitality  4 but  to  its  real  caufe,  the  w-eaknefs 
of  human  nature,  operating  on  two  confliding  paflions, 
the  hope  of  immediate  delivery,  and  the  dread  of  perpe- 
tual detention  ; the  agitated  mind  faw  no  alternative, 
N and 


I4‘5  a N a C C O U N T O F 

and  In  Its  perturbation  threw  down  the  barrier  of  every 
nice  fentimeat. 

After  the  defperate  refointlon  juft  recorded  to  have 
been  taken,  It  is  vn’th  particular  fatisfadlion  that  I re- 
fume my  ])cn,  and  have  it  in  my  power  to  inform  the 
reader,  that  this  frenzy  of  the  fuggelled  by  anx- 

iety and  defpair,  was  but  of  ftiort  duration  ; the  cool 
refleiffions  of  the  night  weakened  their  apprehenfions,  by 
convincing  them  fo  fully  of  the  force  of  the  Captain’s  ar- 
■guments,  that  with  the  morning,  their  wonted  good-will 
towards  the  natives  returned,  infomuch,  that  after  break- 
fall  he  found  no  difficulty  in  getting  the  pinnace  man- 
ned to  go  to  Peleiu  with  all  the  iron  and  tools  they  could 
fpare,  having  made  the  King  fuch  a promife,  whenever 
their  veflel  Ihould  be  completed.  Mr,  Sharp  and  Mr. 
I\I.  Wilfon  went  down  in  the  boat  with  orders  to  inform 
the  King,  that  the  Englijb  would  be  ready  to  fail  in 
fix  or  feven  day's  ; that  the  remainder  of  the  tools,  and 
tlic  mullcets  which  he  wilhed  to  have,  Ihould  be  given 
him,  but  that  they  could  not  be  parted  with  till  fuch 
time  as  the  veflel  was  launched ; thefe  gentlemen  had 
alfo  orders  to  fay,  that  the  Englijh  wilhed  to  fee  the  King 
and  his  Chiefs  before  their  departure,  that  they  might 
make  them  their  perfonal  ackftowledgments,  and  alTure 
them>  that  when  they  returned  to  their  own  country, 
they  would  publicly  declare  the  kind  fervices  and  pro- 
teftion  they  had  received  from  them.  ' This  was  convey- 
ed in  the  form  of  a letter,  which  Mr.  Sharp  was  diredl- 
ed  to  read  to  the  King  in  the  prefence  of  the  two  lin- 
gulfts,  who  were  to  explain  It  to  him,  as  coming  imme- 
diately' from  the  Captain. 

While  Mr.  Sharp  and  Mr,  M.  Wilfon,  together  with. 
Tom  Rofe  the  interpreter,  were  receiving  the  above  in- 
llrudlions,  Madan  Blanchard,  one  of  the  feamen,  came 
into  the  tent  for  fame  tools  that  he  wanted,  and  hear- 
ing the  Captain  explaining  his  letter  to  Tom  Rofe,  de- 
fired  him  alio  to  tell  the  King,  that  when  his  country- 
men went  away,  he  intended  to  ftay  behind,  and  re- 
main with  him  at  Pele<w;  Captain  Wilfon  defired  him 
not  to  fend  any  fuch  idle  meflage,  and  to  go  about  his 

bufinefs. 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  147 

tuflncfs,  atid  forbad  Tom  Rofs  to  deliver  it ; upon  whicli 
Blanchard  very  fcriouily  deiired  it  miglit  be  delivered, 
afliiving  the  CaoUiiii,  that  it  was  his  fettled  determiiiatioa 
to  reinaiii  at  Pelenj,  if  the  King  would  permit  him.  bind- 
ing he  had  taken  up-  fiich  a ftrange  refeJution,  the  Cap- 
tain endeavoured  all  in  his  power  to  diluiade  him  fro.n 
it,  fetting  before  him  the  many  difficulties  and  difadvan- 
tages  he  would  have  to  combat,  when  his  friends  and 
companions  were  gone,  particularly  as  he  had  no  trace, 
like  that  of  a carpenter  or  a fmith,  by  which  he  might 
make  himfelf  of  ufe  and  confequence  to  the  natives. 
Tlie  Captain,  perceiving  all  his  arguments  iacffedlua., 
defircd  his  men  would  try  to  divert  him  frojn  fo  lingular 
an  intention  ; in  which  if  he  fall  pcrfided,  tlie  Captai.i 
might  know  how  to  aiS;  when  the  King  ihould  come  next 
to  Oroolcng. — The  pinnace  was  defpatehed  about  te  i 
o’clock,  with  orders  to  take  no  notice  of  Blancharr.  i 
mcfTige  to  the  King,  but  to  leave  tliat  to  be  meutiLu.d 
afterwards,  ffiould  there  be  occalion,  when  he  and  his 
Chiefs  came  up  to  Oroohng. — Soon  after  the  pine  ice 
failed,  the  weather  became  fqually,  accompanied  with 
hard  rain,  wliich  continued  molt  part  of  the  day,  this 
however  did  not  entirely  hinder  the  work,  they  being 
employed  in  fixing  the  pumps  and  laying  the  ways  pre- 
paratory to  launching  their  vefiel. — In  the  evening,  af- 
ter the  people  had  left  off  work,  fome  of  them  acquaint- 
ed the  Captain,  that  they  had  endeavoured,  though  i 1 
vain,  to  perfuade  Blanchard  to  alter  his  refolution  ; as 
he  was  determined  to  fpeak  to  the  King  himfelf,  the 
firft  opportunity,  about  it,  finding  his  meffage  had  not 
been  fent  : therefore,  to  avoid  any  difpute  with  him,  or 
jnifunderllanding  with  the  King,  it  was  judged  belt  to 
let  him  follow  his  own  incliuation  ; and,  in  order  to  en- 
gage the  natives  as  much  as  poffible  in  his  Intcrell,  as 
•well  as  to  make  a merit  of  what  could  not  be  avoided, 
it  was  determined  to  make  it  appear  as  a favor  to  the 
King,  the  letting  one  of  the  Engli/h  remain  behind  with 
him. — There  was  fornething  in  thefe  people,  or  the  man- 
ners of  the  country,  which  had  fo  forcibly  worked  on 
Blanchard’s  imaglnatioiij  the  Cril  time  he  went  with  them 

to 


j 


HS  anaccountof 

to  fight  againft  Art'ingaU,  that  on  his  return,  while  in  the 
canoes,  he  declared  to  his  companions  that  he  would 
rnoft;  willingly  partake  of  all  their  labor,  would  lend 
them  eveiy  affifiancc  in  his  power  towards  building  and 
fitting  out  their  new  vefTel ; but  that  when  they  depart- 
ed he  would  remain  behind,  and  end  his  days  among 
the  natives  of  Pclenu. — This  was  at  the  time  looked  on 
as  a jeft  ; but  he  never  varied  from  thefe  fentiments, 
and  now  proved  his  refolution  was  unalterable. 

iMovember  7.  About  eleven  o’clock  in  the  forenoon 
of  this  day  the  pinnace  returned,  bringing  the  King, 
his  young  favorite  daughter,  Raa  Kook,  and  feveral  of 
the  Chiefs,  in  her.  Our  people  gave  the  following  ac- 
count of  the  commiffion  they  were  charged  with : — In 
their  pafiage  to  Pehiv,  the  preceding  day,  they  faw  a 
tonfiderable  number  of  canoes,  which  went  in  fnore  to 
avoid  the  bad  weather ; on  coming  nearly  a-breaft  of 
them,  one  appeared  to  be  making  towards  the  pinnace, 
which  thereupon  flood  to  meet  it ; in  this  was  the 
Cli.f  Minyier,  who  gave  thofe  in  the  pinnace  fome  co- 
coa-nuts and  boiled  yams  ; he  informed  our  people  that 
tlie  King  liad  flielttred  himfelf  from  the  weather  under 
the  fiacre,  being  on  Lis  way  to  Oroolong.  After  taking 
fame  of  the  refreflimsiits  offered,  the  pinnace  went  to  the 
King,  who  was  in  liis  canoe,  furrounded  by  feveral  Ru~ 
packs.  The  pinnace  being  brought  alongfide  the  King, 
Mr.  Sharp  read  the  letter,  which  Tom  Rofe  explained 
to  Soogle  the  lingui'l,  who  communicated  its  purport  to 
Abba  ThuUe.  The  intention  of  this  vifit  being  made 
known,  and  the  tools  and  iron  fliewn'  to  the  King,  he 
defired  they  might  remain  in  the  pinnace  ; when,  after 
entering  into  fome  converfation  with  his  Chiefs,  he  ac- 
quainted the  gentlemen  that  he  would  return  to  the 
fmall  iilandof  PethouH,  Inviting  the  Englijh  to  accompa- 
ny him  in  the  pinnace,  and  that  the  next  morning  he 
would  attend  them  to  Orooleng.  As  they  were  return- 
ing to  the  ifland,  they  met  Raa  Kook  in  a large  canoe, 
with  the  wives  belonging  to  the  Rupacks,  whom  he  was 
cendufting  to  Oroolong  to  fee  the  launching  of  the  Eng- 
Ms  vcffel ; tlie  ladies  feemed  much  difappointed  at  being 

obliged 


THE  F E L E W ISLANDS.  149 

obliged  to  return,  and  on  finding  their  jaunt  was  put  off 
till  the  next  day  ; they,  in  confequence,  joined  the  King. 
— On  landing  at  Ptthoullf  they  were  all  conducted  to  a 
large  houfe  by  the  water-fide,  where,  being  feated,  the 
prelcnts  were  brought  and  laid  before  the  King,  when 
the  ufe  of  the  tools,  and  the  method  of  working  with 
them,  were  (hewn  to  him  and  his  Chiefs,  with  which 
they  appeared  very  much  pleafed ; and  a converfation. 
took  place  between  the  King  and  them,  but  particular- 
ly with  Raa  Kook;  towards  the  clofe  of  which,  the  Ma- 
lay, Soogle,  remaiked  to  them,  that  the  Englifh  had  fent 
no  mujkets;  for  this  impertinent  obfervation  he  received 
a fevere  rebuke  from  the  General,  who,  with  a look, 
and  in  a tone  which’  teftified  great  indignation,  replied, 
the  Englifh  had  faithfully  kept  their  word  in  fending  the 
ibingt  they  had  fent,  and  in  acquainting  them  of  the  time  of 
their  departure  ; that  they  had  not  fpoken  with  two  tongues, 
as  he,  worthlefs  Malay,  had  dared  to  fuggejl;  and  that  he 
had  brought  Jhame  upon  them  all,  by  his  advfing  the  King  to 
fend  only  boiled  yams  to  the  Englifh,  lejl,  in  fending  them 
raw,  they  Jbould  thereby  flock  themfelves,  and  leave  the  iflands 
without  notice,  or  without  prefeniing  them  thofe  things  they 
had  proruifed. — This  pointed  rebuke  of  Raa  Kook  af- 
fefted  the  King  and  Chiefs  very  much,  who  by  their 
looks  teftified  their  difpleafure  at  the  Malay,  in  fuch  a 
manner,  that  he  thought  it  prudent  to  retire ; after 
which  the  company  recovered  their  good-humor,  and 
Abba  Thulle  diftributed  fome  of  the  tools  and  iron  among 
the  Rupacks,  every  one  having  fomething  given  him. 
Supper  was  then  brought  in,  and  placed  on  ftools  in 
the  middle  of  the  houfe ; abundance  was  alio  fet  out 
before  the  houfe,  and  diftributed  to  the  King’s  attend- 
ants.— The  company  were  ferved  with  fea  craw-fifli,  to- 
getner  with  fome  other  fifli,  brought  in  and  divided  by 
the  butlers,  who  cut  it  in  pieces  with  a knife  made  of 
a fplit  bamboo  (with  which  they  carve  as  handily  as  we 
do  with  our  knives)  and  ferved  up  to  the  King’s  com- 
pany. Nobody  offered  to  touch  a morfel  till  Alia 
Thulle  began,  and  gave  the  word  Munga  ; when  the  Ru- 
^acks  and  the  company  followed  his  example,  and  no- 
N 2 tke 


1^0  ANACCOUNTOF 

tice  was  given  to  the  people  without,  that  the  King 
was  at  1 ipper,  which  was  their  fignd  to  begin.  It 
now  growing  dullafh,  the  torches  were  lighted,  and 
placed  between  the  boards,  or  cracks  in  the  floor,  iu 
rows,  one  before  each  family,  or  feparate  mefs,  who  fat 
behind  the  lights,  which  were  ranged  in  ftraight  lines 
lengthways  of  the  houfe  ; fo  that  the  centre  part,  from 
one  end  of  the  building  to  the  other,  was  kept  clear 
and  lighted,  which  had  a very  pleafing  cffedl,  none 
fitting  face  to  face  in  their  own  party.  A little 
fpace  was  preferved  between  one  Chief  and  another, 
each  Chief  keeping  with  his  diftindf  family.  As  to 
our  people,  they,  as  ilrangers,  were  welcome  to  all ; they 
aiterrrately  fat  with  the  King,  with  Raa  Kook,  and  with 
the  other  Rupach.  When  the  fifli  was  portioned  out, 
each  family’s  fliare  was  laid  on  a plaintain-leaf ; and 
this  leaf,  in  general,  ferved  them  as  a plate,  though  on 
occafions  ol  a particular  ceremony,  when  at  home,  the 
great  people  have  fmall  plates  or  dilhes  of  tortoife-fhell, 
and  allb  ctli-rs  made  of  wood  and  earthen  ware. 

Ha  ving  indulged  an  hour’s  converfation  after  fupper, 
each  party  cleared  away  the  litter  of  the  meal,  by  fweep- 
ing  it  clown  between  the  boards  of  the  floor  ; tKe  attend- 
ants then  of  each  family  brought  in  to  their  relpeAive 
mailers  their  mats,  which  they  always  carry  with  them 
in  their  canoes  whenever  they  are  to  fleep  from  home  ; 
they  are  made  thin  and  light,  laying  one  under  and  ano- 
ther over  them  : the  King  fent  mats  for  the  Engli/):;  and 
every  one’s  bed  being  quickly  made,  they  all  laid  them- 
felves  dor.'n,  the  torches  were  extlnguiflied,  a total  fl- 
Icnce  prevailed,  and  every  individual  compofed  himfelf  to 
reft  ; a fire  being  firft  lighted  to  keep  off  the  mofqui- 
tos. 

Between  the  hours  of  two  and  three,  a meffenger 
from  an  ifland  to  the  northward  arriving,  the  King  was 
thereupon  awakened  by  one  of  his  attendants,  who 
brought  in  a lighted  torch ; he  inftantly  arofe,  and  or- 
dered the  meffenger  to  be  introduced ; after  holding 
fome  converfation  with  him,  the  King  delivered  to  him 
a piece  of  cord,  on  which  he  had  tied  as  many  kuois 

as 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  151 

as  there  would  be  days  before  our  people  purpofcd  to 
fail ; this  they  were  afterwards  acquainted  with,  and  al« 
fo  informed  the  above  meflage  was  occafioned  by  a de- 
fire  which  feme  of  the  northern  Chiefs,  who  were  the 
friends  of  Abba  Thulle,  felt  to  know  the  time  when  the 
EngHJh  Intended  to  depart — not  to  gratify  idle  curiofity, 
not  to  increafe  the  unjuft  and  uagenerous  apprehenfions 
entertained  by  our  people  of  the  natives  of  thefc  unknown 
regions ; but  to  throw  in,  towards  their  fea-ftore,  what- 
ever their  country  produced,  which  thefe  benevolent 
children  of  nature  thought  might  be  of  ufe,  or  accept- 
able to  the  departing  ftrangers,  and  to  thofe  ftrangers 
they  might  never  more  fee  ! — The  meflenger  being  def- 
patched,  the  King  retired  again  to  his  mat. 

Early  in  the  morning  Abba  Thulle  and  his  Rupacls 
went  to  bathe,  and  returned  to  breakfaft,  when  he  pre- 
pared to  proceed  to  Oroolong. — Mr.  Sharp  and  Mr.  M. 
IVilfon  invited  the  General  to  go  with  them  in  the  pin- 
nace, which  he  accepted,  ordering  his  canoes  to  attend 
the  King. — When  they  had  got  about  two  or  three 
miles  from  the  iftand,  it  began  to  blow  frefti,  fo  that  the 
canoes  were  obliged  to  make  their  way  along  the  fliore 
for  flielter ; Raa  Kook,  delighted  to  fee  the  pinnace  fail 
fo  well,  and  feel  fo  little  the  effeft  of  the  bad  weather, 
requefted  his  two  friends  to  go  in  ftiore  to  the  King, 
and  aik  him  on  board;  which  they  immediately  compli- 
ed with. — Abba  Thulle,  with  his  young  daughter,  and 
the  Chief  Minifler,  came  Into  the  pinnace;  the  wind  ftill 
frelhening,  they  made  great  way,  the  boat  rolling  much, 
going  before  the  wind  and  fea. — The  King  and  his 
company  exprefled  great  fatisfaftion  in  finding  they  fat 
there  fo  dry  and  comfortable  to  what  they  could  have 
done  in  a canoe,  which  is  only  fit  for  fihooth  waterj 
our  people  perceiving  he  was  fo  pleafed  with  the  pinnace. 
Informed  him,  that  the  Captain  intended  to  prefent  him. 
with  that  boat  when  they  went  away  ; on  which  he  dc- 
fired  his  brother  Raa  Kook  to  be  very  particular  in  ob- 
ferving  in  what  manner  the  fails  were  managed. 

They  brought  with  them  many  things  for  prefents ; 
and  foun  after  Abba  Thulle  and  the  Qeneral;  agreeable 

to 


ZJ2  ANACCOUNTOF 

to  their  promife,  fet  their  people  about  painting  the  vef- 
fel,  as  alfo  the  mails,  booms,  bowfprit,  &c. — About 
three  o’clock  in  the  afternoon  the  veffel  was  lowered  off 
the  blocks  down  upon  the  ways;  but  being  two  much 
over  to  one  fide,  was  fwept  with  a rope,  and  a tackle 
got  upon  it,  to  boufe  her  over. — The  King,  attentive 
to  all  he  faw,  underllood  what  was  doing,  and  fetching 
a long  pole,  was  going  to  apply  it  as  a lever  to  heave 
her  over,  but  was  requelled  to  defill,  for  fear  of  llrain- 
ing  her ; Ihe  was  with  eafe  got  fair  upon  the  ways,  and 
all  things  made  ready  for  launching  in  the  morning. — 
jihla  71311116  fat  down  near  the  velTel,  talking  with  Raa 
Kook  and  the  other  Chiefs ; then  calling  to  7om  Rofe^ 
bade  him  inform  the  Captain,  who  was  at  feme  dillance, 
that  they  wilhed  to  fpeak  to  him ; who  being  come,  the 
King  ordered  the  linguill  to  acquaint  him,  that  they 
wilhed  the  velfel  to  have  a Pelew  name,  as  they  fuppofed 
it  was  then  called  by  fome  Engl'ijh  one,  which  they  de- 
fired  might  be  changed  to  Oroolong,  in  remembrance  of 
its  having  been  built  there  ; the  Captain  alfured  them 
it  Ihould  immediately  be  done — ^fent  for  his  officers  and 
people,  and  communicated  to  them  the  King’s  requell ; 
they  w’ere  pleafed  with  his  idea,  which  the  King  per- 
ceiving, exprefled  himfelf  greatly  fatisfied. — Soon  after- 
wards Abba  Tkulle,  with  his  attendants,  went  over  to 
the  watering-place,  and  defired  Captain  Wilfun  to  go 
with  him;  when  they  arrived  there,  fome  canoes  were 
jull  come  in  from  filhing,  and  he  ordered  what  had  been 
caught  to  be  divided,  and  the  bell  portion  to  be  given 
to  the  Enghjh;  this  feemed  to  be  the  purport  of  the  in- 
vitation. But  a bufinefs  of  more  confequence  took  place 
at  this  vlfit:  the  third  mate,  the  gunner,  and  Ihip’s  ftew- 
ard,  came  over,  and  Informed  the  Captain,  that  Blan-^ 
chard  was  coming  himfelf  to  fpeak  to  the  King  concern- 
ing his  Intention  of  remaining  at  Pelenv;  after  a Ihort 
confultatlon.  It  was  agreed  to  abide  by  their  former  de- 
termination. The  Captain,  in  confequence,  talking 
with  Abba  Thulle  about  their  departure,  told  him  he 
would,  in  return  for  the  hofpitable  kindnefs  that  both 
he  and  his  people  had  Ihewn  them;  legve  one  of  his 

men 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  153 

men  with  them,  to  take  care  of  the  gune  and  other 
things  they  intended  to  give  him  when  they  went  away; 
which  appearing  to  the  King  as  a teftimony  of  confi- 
dence and  efteem,  could  not  fail  to  be  very  acceptable.— 
Evening  coming  on,  our  people  returned  to  the  tents, 
i having  lirft  informed  Blanchard  that  the  matter  he  wiili- 
1 ed  was  fettled,  and  introduced  him  to  their  Pe/ew  friends 
as  the  perfon  whom  they  intended  flrouid  remain  with 
I them. 

In  the  night  the  weather  was  exceedingly  bad,  blow- 
ing a hurricane,  with  fo  much  rain  that  no  work  could 
be  done  at  low-water,  toward  getting  ready  for  the 
launch  in  the  morning. — At  day-light  the  weather  was 
cloudy,  with  little  wind ; but  from  the  very  high  wind 
in  the  night  it  was  thought  beft  to  defer  launching  the 
i veffel,  as  it  was  judged  the  next  tide  would  not  rife  fuf- 
j ficiently  high  for  that  purpofe. — The  King  with  his  at- 
tendants (but  unaccompanied  by  any  women)  came 
over  land  to  the  tents  very  early,  and  immediately  fet 
his  men  to  work  to  make  good  the  places  where  the 
tempeft  of  the  night  had  wafhed  away  the  paint. — Alla 
7hulle,  converllng  with  the  Captain,  gave  him  to  under- 
ftand,  that  they  would  have  bad  weather  until  the  moon 
quartered,  and,  left  he  (hould  not  be  fully  explicit,  he 
took  up  a large  leaf,  and  with  his  fingers  tore  it  till  it 
became  round,  to  figure  the  full  moon,  that  being  the 
then  ftate  of  that  planet;  which  when  he  had  fhewn,  he 
altered  the  rotundity  into  the  form  of  a crefeent,  in- 
timating by  this,  that  the  w'eatlier  would  continue  un- 
fettled, until  that  alteration  took  place  in  the  moon’s 
appearance : but,  as  the  remaining  fuch  a length  of  time 
would  have  been  very  irkfome  to  all,  who  now  felt  an 
increafed  impatience  to  get  away.  Captain  Wilfon  af- 
figned,  as  a reafon  againft  any  longer  delay,  that  by  it, 
they  might  arrive  in  all  probability  at  China  (whither 
he  knew  they  were  bound)  after  all  the  fhips  of  his 
country  were  failed  for  Europe,  which  would  detain  them 
there  till  the  fubfequent  feafon. 

While  painting  the  veffel  this  morning,  the  ftem  was 
jjuticularly  decorated  by  Raa  Kook,  under  the  immedi- 
ate 


154  ANACCOUNTOF 

ate  direftion  of  the  King;  our  people  took  notice  that 
he  made  on  each  fide  of  the  Hern  two  circles,  one  with- 
in another,  in  black  and  white,  with  fome  little  -zig- 
zag ornaments  hanging  from  them ; thefe  were  not  the 
effeft  of  chance,  but  defign,  as,  during  the  time  that 
the  General  was  making  them,  the  King  was  talking  to 
him,  and  appeared  to  be  giving  direftions,  not  ferioufly, 
but  in  a pleafant  and  rather  jocofe  way.  The  painting 
being  finilhed,  the  General  and  Arra  Koohcr  joined  the 
King  and  the  Captain,  who  was  fitting  with  him;  after 
fome  converfation,  feveral  bailcets  of  old  cocoa-nuts  in 
a ftate  of  vegetation,  and  ibmc  other  feeds,  were  brought ; 
r.nd  the  linguift  acquainted  the  Captain  fhat  they  were 
brought  to  Oroohng  to  be  planted  for  the  Engll/Jj. — Raa 
Kook  then  defired  Captain  IVHfon  would  accompany  him 
and  Arra  Kooher,  and  fliew  them  wliere  he  would  like 
to  have  them  planted,  and  that  fome  of  our  people,  with 
tools,  would  afiift  them,  by  digging  the  holea;  which 
being  done,  the  General  and  his  brother  planted  feveral 
cocoa  nut  and  other  fruit  trees  round  the  cove  where 
the  Eiiglifh  lived  ; and  it  was  oblerved,  that  in  covering 
each  nut,  or  feed  with  earth,  they  faid  fomething  gently 
to  themfCves.  When  they  had  completed  this  work, 
they  told  the  Captain  thefe  would  be  future  fruits  for 
him,  and  the  Englijhy  whenever  they  returned;  and  that, 
fiiould  any  inhabitants  of  the  other  iflands  accidentally 
come  on  fhore  at  Oroolong,  and  eat  thereof,  they  would 
thank  the  Englijb  for  their  refrefiiment. — In  the  even- 
ing they  tried  to  launch  the  vefiel,  but  to  their  great 
difappeintment  could  not  move  her,  until  the  tide  be- 
gan to  fall ; they  therefore  let  every  thing  remain  until 
the  next  tide,  hoping  In  that  time  to  difeover  and  re- 
move the  obftruftion. 

Blanchard  having  come  over  with  the  King  In  the 
morning,  gave  an  account  to  his  comrades  of*his  treat- 
ment after  the  Captain  and  his  companions  had  left 
fiim;  the  King,  he  faid,  was  very  much  pleafed  in  the 
thought  of  his  being  to  remain  at  Pele'ou,  and  with  his 
teadinefs  to  ftay  with  them,  and  had  promifed  to  make 
■him’  a Rupack,  and  to  give  him  two  wives,  together 

with 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  15^ 

with  a houfe  and  plantations;  alTuring  him,  that  he 
would  do  every  thing  to  make  him  happy  and  content- 
ed, and  that  he  fhould  always  be  with  himfelf  or  Raa 
Kook. — Madan  Blanchard  was  a man  of  a Angular  cha- 
racter, about  twenty  years  of  age,  of  rather  a grave 
turn  of  mind,  at  the  fame  time  poffefTing  a confidcrable 
degree  of  dry  humor;  and  what  rendered  the  circumftance 
of  his  determination  the  more  remarkable  is,  that  it  was 
well  known  he  had  formed  no  particular  attachment  on 
the  ifland.  His  good-tempered,  inoffenfive  behaviour  dur- 
ing the  voyage  had  gained  him  the  regard  of  all  his  (hip- 
mates;  and,  feeing  the  extraordinary  refolution  he  had 
taken  of  remaining  behind,  every  one  was  anxious  to  in- 
terell  the  natives  in  his  favor.  As  he  perfevered  in  his 
refolution  to  the  laft,  every  reader  will  naturally  feel  a 
\vi(h  to  learn  fomewhat  of  the  fubfequent  fortune  of  a 
man  voluntarily  cutting  himfelf  off  from  the  reft  of  the 
world — dubious  as  the  event  may  be,  whether  this  know- 
ledge may  hereafter  ever  reach  our  ears.  It  is  by  no 
means  improbable,  if  he  has  conduced  himfelf  well,  that 
by  this  time  he  may  have  become  a charafter  of  coufi- 
derable  confequence:  courage  he  poffelTed  in  an  eminent 
degree,  a vhtue  held  in  high  eftimation  by  the  natives. 
Unfortunately,  his  lituation  in  life  having  denied  him 
any  advantage  of  education,  he  was  unable  either  to  w'rite 
or  read,  otherwife  his  memenrs,  fince  the  year  1783,  well 
digefted,  might,  to  all  the  inveftigators  of  fimple  nature, 
be  infinitely  more  interefting  than  thofe  of  half  the  mini- 
fters  and  ftatefmen  of  Europe,  who  have  only  bequeathed 
to  pofteiity  a remembrance  of  all  thofe  darkcounfels,fecret 
devices,  and  profligate  intrigues,  which  difturbed  the 
tranquillity  of  the  age  they  lived  in. 


CHAPTER 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF 


IS6 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


Vejfel  fiiccefsfuUy  launched. — Tljc  great  SatisfaSton  ex- 
prejfed  by  the  Natives  on  the  Occafion. — Our  People  give 
the  l^ing  the  Remainder  of  the  Tools.— Captain  Wilfon 
fent  for  by  the  King  to  the  Watering-place,  ivho  propofei 
to  make  him  a Rupack  of  the  frjl  Rank. — Invefs  him 
with  the  highefl  Order  of  the  Bone. — A Defcription  of  the 
Ceremony. 

Nov.  ^ I H E night  proving  fine,  every  hand  had 
9.  JL  fufficient  employment  in  preparing  things 
for  launching  the  veffel ; they  fwept  her  with  a lower- 
fliroud  hawfer,  and  carried  an  anchor  and  hawfer  a-head, 
and  got  a runner  and  tackle  purchafe  upon  it ; they  like- 
wife  got  a poll:  with  wedges  fet  againft  the  ftern-poft, 
and  every  thing  feSdy  before  day-light.  The  tide  eb-  | 
bed  extraordinary  low  this  night,  infomuch  that  fome  j 
of  them  walked  dry  to  the  flower-pot  ifland,  which  had  1 
never  been  done  at  any  other  time  before  fince  their 
coming  to  this  place';  it  was  low-water  rather  before  two 
o’clock  this  morning.  At  day-light  they  began  to  try  1 
their  work,  to  fee  if  their  preparations  would  anfwer 
their  wifhes,  and  got  the  veffel  down  about  fix  feet ; they 
then  flopped  till  high-water,  and  fent  to  the  King,  who 
w'ith  all  his  attendants  came  over  to  be  prefent  at  the 
launch.  About  feven  o’clock,  our  people  happily  got 
their  veffel  afloat,  to  the  general  joy  of  every  fpeftator, 
all  appearing  deeply  interefted  in  the  fuccefs  of  this 
event. — The  Engli/h  gave  three  loud  huzzas  at  her  go- 
ing off,  in  which  they  were  joined  by  the  natives,  whofe  J 
friendly  hearts  feemed  on  this  occafion  to  feel  a fatisfac-  | 
tion  little  inferior  to  that  of  our  own  people,  which  ' 
may  be  fuppofed  to  have  been  great  indeed. — The  Eng- 
li/h fhook  hands  with  each  other,  with  a cordiality  but 
feldoro  experienced ; and  the  mutual  look  of  congratu- 
lation, 


the  PELEW  islands.  F57 

lation,  exchanged  from  eye  to  eye,  conveyed  to  each 
other’s  feelings,  with  energy  and  ardor,  thofe  fentiments 
of  tranfport  which  words  would  not  with  equal  force 
have  communicated.  The  long-wiihed-for  moment  of 
deliverance  was  now  almoft  arrived  ; every  one  faw  again, 
in  imagination,  thofe  objedfs  of  his  affeilion,  fi  om  whom, 
but  a few  weeks  paft,  he  thought  he  had  been  feparated 
for  ever.  And  the  part  the  inhabitants  of  Pelew  ap- 
peared to  take  in  the  comfort  of  the  day,  cxtlnguifhed 
for  the  prefent  every  alarm  that  had  been  unjnftly  en- 
tertained.— Indeed  the  condud  of  the  latter  now  ex- 
hibited, in  lovelieft  colors,  the  triumph  of  native  be- 
nevolence.— They  faw  thofe  llrangcrs  ready  to  depart, 
from  whofe  aid  they  had  benefited,  and  from  whofe 
talents  and  art  they  had  received  a knowledge  and  in- 
formation which  had  never  hitherto  reached  them  ; they 
faw  them  exhilarated  with  the  profped  of  returning  once 
more  (after  all  their  dangers)  to  their  own  country, 
whither  they  were  bearing  back  thofe  envied  faculties 
which  they  might  never  witnefs  again.  And  yet  we  be- 
hold thofe  virtuous  natives,  glowing  with  the  fpirit  of 
true  philanthropy,  in  the  general  tranfport  forgetting 
themfelves,  and  rejoicing  with  thofe  that  rejoiced  ! 

The  veffel  was  Immediately  hauled  into  a dock  that 
had  been  dug  for  her,  and  fafely  moored,  when  all 
went  to  breakfaft — the  King  and  the  Rtipacks  with  the 
Captain,  the  attendants  with  the  people  : this  was  in- 
deed the  happieft  and  moft  comfortable  meal  they  had 
eaten  fince  the  lofs  of  the  Antelope,  When  breakfaft 
was  over,  they  got  up  fhears,  and  took  in  the  malls, 
the  water-calks,  and  the  two  fix-pounders.  They  now 
made  the  King  a prefent  of  all  the  other  tools  they 
could  fpare;  and  took  up  the  ways,  on  account  of  the 
nails,  of  which  they  were  in  want.  The  vcflel  having 
flopped  two  or  three  times  in  the  launching,  which  had 
caufed  them  fomc  trouble,  and  more  uneafinefs,  In  taking 
up  the  ways  they  perceived  that  it  had  been  occalion- 
ed  by  a nail  In  the  bottom  not  being  drove  home,  the 
head  of  which  had  grooved  the  plank  all  the  length  of 
the  ways. — When  the  flood-tide  came  in  the  afternoon, 
O they 


IJS  AN  ACCOUNT  OF 

they  hauled  the  veffel  into  the  bafon,  which  was  a deep 
place  of  four  or  five  fathom  water,  in  the  middle  of  the 
level,  fandy  flat  of  the  haiboui,  large  enough  to  hold 
three  veffels  of  the  lame  magnitude,  where  they  could 
be  afloat  at  low  water.  In  the  night  they  got  on  board 
all  their  provifion,  ftores,  ammunition,  and  anns,  except 
fuch  as  were  intended  to  be  given  to  /ilia  Thulle;  and 
renewed  their  labor  in  the  morning,  taking  on  board 
their  anchois,  cables,  and  other  necefl'aries,  making  tits, 
and  fitting  a rail  acrofs  the  Hern  of  the  veflcl.  In  the 
morning  the  King  fent  a meflage  to  Captain  IVilfon, 
defiring  him  to  come  to  him  at  the  watering-place ; 
and  on  his  arrival  acquainted  him,  that  it  was  his  in- 
tention to  inveft  him  with  tlie  order  of  the  Bene,  and 
make  him  in  form  a Rupack  of  the  firft  rank.  The 
Captain  exprefled  his  acknowledgments  for  the  honor 
be  purpofed  to  confer  on  him,  and  the  pleafure  he  felt 
at  being  admitted  a Chief  of  Pdew. — The  King,  and 
all  the  Rupacks,  then  went  and  fat  down  under  the  fliade 
of  fome  large  trees,  and  Captain  Wilfon  was  defired  to 
lit  at  a little  diftance;  when  Raa  Kook  receiving  the 
Bone,  prefented  it,  as  from  his  brother  jilba  Thulle,  and 
■i\anted  to  know  which  hand  he  ufed  in  common ; this 
the  General  wifhed  to  afceitain,  by  putting  a flone  in 
his  hand,  which  he  defired  him  to  tlirow  at  a diftance; 
finding  it  was  the  right  hand  he  naturally  ufed,  he  was 
again  requefted  to  fit  down,  and  the  Bone  was  applied 
to  his  left  hand  to  fee  if  it  was  large  enough  for  his 
hand  to  flip  through;  being  not  found  fufficiently  fo,  it 
was  rafped  away,  till  judged  to  be  wide  enough,  when 
Raa  Kook,  the  Chief  Mintfler,  and  all  the  Rupacks,  pro- 
ceeded to  the  inveftment,  in  the  following  manner  ; — 
The  General  made  a firing  faft  to  each  of  the  fingers 
of  the  Captain’s  left  hand,  and  then  lubricating  the 
liand  w'ith  oil,  the  Chief  Mintfler  placed  himfelf  behind 
the  Captain,  holding  him  fall  by  the  fhoulders;  Raa 
Kook  then  paffed  the  different  firings  through  the  Bone, 
and  giving  them  to  another  Rupack,  they  endeavoured  to 
xlraw  his  hand  through;  Raa  Kook  at  the  fame  time, 
viith  his  own  hand;  comprefiing  that  of  the  Captain  in- 


the  p e l e w islands.  15.5 


I 


1 

1 

I 

I 


to  the  fmalleft  compafs  he  pofTibly  could,  fo  that  the 
Bone  might  pafs  over  the  joints.  During  this  tue  moil 
profound  iilence  ^vas  preferved,  both  by  the  Rupacks  who 
alTilled,  and  the  people  who  attended  as  fpeclators,  ex- 
cept by  the  King,  who  occafionally  fu^gellcd  in  wh.it 
manner  they  might  facilitate  the  operation.  The  point 
being  at  hail  obtained,  and  the  hand  fairly  paffed  through, 
the  whole  afiembly  expreffed  great  joy.  j^lha  Thulle  then 
addrefling  Captain  IVilfon,  told  him,  that  the  Bone  JhoulJ 
be  rubbed  bright  every  day,  and  prejerved  as  a tejhmuny  of 
the  rank  he  held  amongjl  them;  that  this  mark  of  dignity 
mujl,  on  every  occafton,  be  defended  valiantly,  nor  fufereil 
to  be  torn  from  his  arm  but  voith  the  lofs  of  Ife. 

The  ceremony  ended,  all  the  Rupaeks  congratulated 
Captain  IFilfon  on  his  being  one  of  their  order;  and  the 
inferior  natives  flock.'d  round  to  look  at  the  Bone,  and 
appeared  highly  pleafed  to  fee  his  arm  adorned  -.vith  it, 
calling  him  Englees  Rupack. 

Thofe  who  have  been  witne.Tes  of  the  conferring  the 
more  fplendid  orders  of  diftinclion,  bellowed  by  fove- 
reigns  of  powerful  and  polillied  kingdoms,  where  the 
Gothic  hall  is  decorated  with  waving  banners — where 
mitred  prelates  aflill  the  ceremony — where  the  pomp  of 
regal  Hate  impofes  on  the  fenfe — and  the  blaze  of  fu- 
perb  ornaments,  beaming  from  female  beauty,  gracing 
the  ceremony,  overpowers  the  fpeftator  with  a vail  dii- 
play  of  magnificence — fuch  may,  with  a fmile  of  con- 
tumely, read  the  conceptions  of  thefe  children  of  natnr. , 
or  be  difpofed  to  ridicule  the  fimplicity  v.'ith  whicii 
the  unadorned  natives  of  Pelav  hold  a chapter  of  tlieir 
highell  Ordei-  of  the  Bone.  But  it  will  be  recollecled, 
that  the  objeR  and  the  end  are  every  where  the  Lme. — ■ 
This  mark  of  dillindlion  is  given  aird  received  in  tliofe 
regions  as  a reward  of  valor  and  fidelity,  and  held  out 
as  the  prize  of  merit. — In  this  light  ftieh  public  honors 
were  originally  confidered,  and  Hill  ought  to  be  fo,  in 
every  Hate  from  PJevo  to  Britain. — And  while  they  con- 
tinue to  be  thus  regarded,  they  will  operate  on  the  hu- 
man paliions,  excite  cinul.ition,  infpire  courage,  promote 
virtue,  and  cliallenge  refpeft. — The  decoration  indeed 

derives 


i<?o  ANACCOUNTOF 

derives  all  its  fplendor  frpm  the  combined  ideas  of  the 
mind  whilft  viewing  it;  and  tlie  imagination  is  equally 
imprefled  with  the  fame  fentiment,  whether  the  badge 
of  honor^  be  a ftrip  of  velvet  tied  round  the  knee,  a 
tuft  of  riband  and  crofs  dangling  at  the  button-hole, 
a ftar  embroidered  on  the  coat,  or  a Bone  upon  the 
arm. 


chapter  XX. 


The  good  Condu3  of  the  hhaiives,  not  to  diflurh  or  impede 
the  Operations  of  our  People.— “The  King  informs  Captain 
Wilfon  of  his  Intention  to  fend  his  fecond  Son,  Lee  Boo, 
under  his  Care,  to  England. — Raa  Kook  hailing  alfo 
folicited  Abba  Thulle’s  Permiffion  to  accompany  the  Eng- 
liih,  IS  refufed  ly  his  Brother,  on  very  prudential  Mo- 
tives.— A Jingular  Occurrence  refpeding  one  of  the  King’s 
Nepheivs, — The  Time  of  the  VffeVs  Departure  noticed 
' — and,  preparatory  to  it,  an  inferipiion,  cut  on  a Plate 
of  Copper,  is  fxed  to  a large  Tree,  to  record  the  Lofs 
of  the  Antelope. 

Nov.TN  the  evening  the  tents  were  all  cleared,  and 
lo.  X every  thing  carried  on  board  from  the  old  habi- 
tations at  the  Cove. — Our  people  being  much  hindered 
by  the  natives  wifliing  to  come  on  board  the  veflel  to 
fee  and  admire  her,  it  was  obfen-ed  by  Raa  Kook,  and 
mentioned  by  him  to  the  King,  who  immediately  gave 
direftions  that  none  but  the  Chiefs  iliould  go,  and  that 
the  others  fhould  only  paddle  along  fide,  and  look  at 
her  from  their  canoes.  When  all  the  ftores  were  on 
bo;  rd,  and  the  fails  bent,  the  Captain  invited  Abba 
Thille  to  accompany  him  in  her  round  to  the  watering- 
plac  e,  which  he  declined,  and  went  with  his  attendants 
over  land  ; the  invitation  was,  however,  accepted  by  the 
General  and  Ana  Kooker,  who  were  highly  deliglited  at 
every  manoeuvre ; their  canoes,  with  many  others,  full 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  i6r 

of  the  natives,  attended  them,  flionting,  hallooing,  and 
rejoicing,  Raa  Kook  calling  out  continually  to  his  peo-- 
pie  to  obferve  evei^  motion  and  aftlon  of  the  Enotyh  In 
condufting  their  vefTcl.  They  carried  her  to  the  w elt 
fide  of  the  ifland,  and  moored  her  In  fix  fathom  watei , 

[ a-breaft  of  the  well  of  frelh  water.  Captain  IVilfan  then 
I went  on  fliore  to  the  King,  accompanied  by  Raa  Kook 
j and  Arra  Kooker,  who  related  to  their  brother  every  cir- 
cumftance  they  had  noticed,  deferibing  particul  '.rly  the 
; man  heaving  the  lead,  and  the  manner  of  anthoving. — 
Some  canoes,  as  ufual,  had  been  out  a filhing,  and 
caught  a great  quantity,  of  which  they  had  made  no 
diltribution,  waiting  for  the  Engl'ifh  to  come  and  fnare 
with  them  ; this  friendly  attention  could  not  be  accept- 
ed, as  all  our  people  were  on  board,  and  they  had  no 
convenience  as  yet  made  for  a fire-place  in  their  little 
vefiel.  The  King  then  allced  the  Captain  to  (lay  and  eat 
fome  of  the  filh  with  him,  which  he  complied  with, 
the  interpreter  remaining  with  him. 

Alla  'ThuUe  had,  In  his  vifits  to  Oroolong,  been  always 
a vei7  attentive  obferver  of  whatever  he  faw  the  Engl\lb 
were  employed  in.  Handing  by  them  frequently,  whilit 
at  work,  for  a confiderable  time,  and  noticing  eveiy  oc- 
currence.— He  had  already,  as  will  be  recollected,  hint- 
ed an  intention  of  fending  two  of  his  people  to  Englattdy 
whenever  the  velTel  was  ready  to  depart ; and  this  even- 
ing, after  fupper,  reverting  to  what  he  had  formerly 
mentioned,  he  explained  himfelf  more  fully  on  the  fub- 
jeft  ; he  told  the  Captain,  that  though  his  fubj efts- look- 
ed up  to  him  with  refpeft,  and  regarded  him  as  not  on- 
ly fuperior  in  rank,  but*  in  knowledge,  yet,  that  after 
being  with  the  Englifh,  and  contemplating  their  inge- 
nuity, he  had  often  felt  his  own  infignificaace,  in  feeing 
the  lowed:  man  whom  the  Captain  had  under  his  com- 
mand, exercife  talents  that  he  had  ever  been  a ftranger 
to  ; he  had  therefore  refolved  to  intrull  his  fecond  fon, 
whofe  name  was  Lee  Boo,  to  Captain  IVilfon's  care,  that 
he  might  have  the  advantage  of  improving  himfelf  by 
accompanying  the  Engli/h,  and  of  learning  many  things, 
that  might  at  his  return  greatly  benefit  his  own  coun- 


V 


i62  ANACCOUNTOF 

added,  that  one  of  the  Malays  from  Pelehao 
fliould  aho  go  to  attend  on  him. — He  ciefcribcd  his  fon 
as  a young  man  of  an  amiable  and  gentle  difpofition ; 
that  he  was  fenfible,  and  cf  a mild  temper,  and  fpokc 
much  in  his  commendation  ; faid  he  had  fent  for  him 
from  a diHant  place,  where  he  had  been  under  the  care 
of  an  old  man  ; that  he  was  then  at  Pehuu,  taking  leave 
of  his  friends,  and  would  be  with  him  at  Oroclurtg  the 
next  morning  ; Raa  Kcoh  alfo  joined,  with  his  brother 
yirra  Kookcr,  in  giving  the  fame  good  charafter  of  their 
nephew. 

Captain  IVilfon  replied,  that  he  was  exceedingly 
obliged  and  honored  by  this  fingular  mark  of  his  conli- 
dcnce  and  dleem  ; that  he  fhouid  have  thought  himfelf 
bound  in  gratitude  to  take  care  of  any  perfon  belonging 
to  Pelenv,  v\  horn  the  King  might  fend  ; but  in  this  cafe, 
he  wiflied  to  afTure  him,  that  he  fliould  endeavour  to 
merit  the  high  trufl;  repoftd  in  him,  by  treating  the 
young  prince  with  the  fame  tendernefs  and  alfeftioa  as 
his  own  fon. — This  anfwer  gave  vifible  fatisfadlicn  ; and 
then  the  converfalion  changing,  the  King  expreffed  a 
wiih  that  the  vefTcl  might  go  down  to  PeLiv  before 
her  departure  ; the  rcafon  he  affigned  for  making  this 
requeft  was,  that  many  of  the  men  had  enjoyed  various 
opportunities,  at  Oroolong,  of  feeing  the  vefftl  and  her 
conftrnftion ; but  that  this  had  not  been  the  cafe  with 
the  aged,  the  women,  and  the  children  ; that,  if  they 
went  down  to  Pekiv,  thefe  latter  would  then  have  the 
pleafure  of  gratifying  their  curiofity  ; that  the  mothers 
would  hereafter  talk  over  to  their  children  and  families 
the  Angularity  of  the  fight,  recall  the  circumftance  to 
their  memories,  and  by  this  means  the  name  of  the  Eng- 
lyh,  and  of  their  building  fuch  a veffel  on  the  ifland  of 
Oroolong,  would  be  preferved  by  his  people,  which  was 
what  he  much  wiflied. — Captain  JVilfon,  who  w’tll  knew 
the  difpofition  cf  his  own  people,  and  was  in  his  mind 
iully  perfuaded  that  their  former  fufpicions  would  revive, 
and  induce  them  to  doubt  whether  fome  treachery  was 
not  concealed  under  this  requeft  ; fearing  alfo,  that  the 
eagernefs  cf  the  natives  to  come  on  board  and  view  her 

interior, 


the  P E L E W islands.  165 

mtarior,  as  well  as  her  exterior  form,  might  caufc  confu- 
fion  and  delay,  oppofed  the  King’s  propofal,  by  fuggcll- 
ing  fuch  well-conceived  objections  to  it,  that  he  acqui- 
efeed,  and  nothing  more  was  ever  faid  on  the  fubjeCl. 

It  may  not  be  Improper  in  this  place  to  notice,  that 
from  the  time  Raa  Kook  was  bufied  with  the  King  in 
painting  the  veflel,  it  was  obfevved,  that  there  was  a 
penlive  gloom  about  him,  which  they  had  never  before 
feen  cloud  his  countenance,  naturally  open  and  cheer- 
ful.— The  Captain  found  it  had  been  occafioned  by  a 
difappointment  he  had  met  with. — His  great  attachment 
to  the  Enghjh  had  induced  him  to  ailc  his  brother’s  per- 
mifTion  to  accompan)  them  to  England,  to  which  the 
King  had  refufed  his  confent ; afTigning  the  neceffity  he 
was  under  to  objeCf  to  it,  from  the  circumilance  ot  his 
being  the  next  heir,  and  the  inconveniences  that  would 
arife  in  cafe  of  his  own  death  when  he  (liould  be  ablent ; 
tlie  fuccellion  of  the  fovereignty  of  PeL-w  firft  devolving 
to  the  brothers  of  the  King,  in  fuccefiion,  and  after 
their  deaths  reverting  to  the  eldeft  fon  of  the  lirfl.  branch 
of  the  family ; the  fecond  fon  becoming,  of  courfc,  he- 
reditary General  of  the  forces.  And  though  the  good 
imderllanding  which  Raa  Kook  poffefTed,  fhewed  him  the 
impropriety  of  what  he  had  ddired,  and  the  prudent 
ground  of  his  brother’s  refufal,  yet  it  was  evident  it  had 
much  depreffed  him  ; indeed,  the  very  itrong  partiality 
he  had  from  the  firft  teftified  for  our  countrymen,  the 
plcafure  he  always  feemed  to  enjoy  in  their  fociety,  and 
the  intereft  he  certainly  felt  in  their  welfare,  would  na- 
turally touch  his  fcnfibility,  make  him  fee  with  regret 
the  fails  of  his  departing  friends  unfurled,  and  accele- 
rate the  pang  of  a farewell  look  ! 

• November  11.  At  day-light  every  body  was  bufied 
in  filling  water,  bending  the  fails,  completing  the  fire- 
place, and  getting  the  veffel  ready  for  fea. 

Early  this  forenoon  a circumftance  arofe  of  a nature 
too  fingular  to  be  omitted. — There  was  a young  man 
fi-eqnently  with  our  people,  who  had  taken  a plcafure 
to  afiimilate  himfelf  to  all  their  ways  and  manners,  and 
who  now  applied  to  Captain  fPil/on,  to  folicit  him  to 


1^4-  ANACCOUNTOF 

take  him  in  his  vcHel  to  England;  he  was  anfwered  hy  the 
Captain,  that  it  would  he  impoflible  to  do  it  without 
the  diredioh  and  confent  of  tlie  King,  who  had  already 
fpoken  to  him  of  taking  his  fon  and  another  man  ; but, 
that  as  he  wifhed  it,  he  would  fpeak  to  the  King,  and 
know  his  pleafure. — The  young  man  above  alluded  to, 
was  the  King’s  nephew,  and  fon  of  that  brother  who 
had  been  killed  at  jirtingall,  and  whofe  death  had  ocea- 
fioiied  the  war  which  had  fo  lately  been  terminated  be- 
tween his  uncle  and  thofe  people. — Captain  IVitfon  ac- 
cordingly mentioned  the  affair  to  the  King,  who  ap- 
peared much  difplcafed  at  the  application  ; faid  his  ne- 
phew was  a bad  man,  and  negleded  his  family  ; that  he 
liad  himfelf,  two  or  three  times,  finre  the  deceafe  of  his 
father,  changed  his  houfe  and  plantation  for  him,  in 
order  to  cure  his  rambling  difpofition,  but  that  nothing 
feemed  to  affedt,  or  alter  him. — The  nephew  now  pre- 
fented  himfelf  to  urge  his  own  fuit,  probably  thinking, 
that  the  Captain  being  prefent,  would  fecond  his  re- 
queft. — The  King  gave  him  an  abfolute  denial,  faying, 
**  Tou  are  vndutiful,  and  negletiful  of  your  mother;  you  have 
*<  defervtng  and  good  auoinen  for  your  wives,  to  whom,  as 
« well  as  to  all  your  relations,  you  behave  ill,  for  wh'uh 
“ you  have  beenjtflly  expofed  throughout  the  whole  ifland.— 
Tou  are  efbamed  of  your  conduct,  and  would  now  fly  from 
your  family;  you  Jball  not  have  my  confent,  and  I deftrs 
“ the  Captain  not  to  countenance  you  ; flay  at  home,  and  let 
*•  your  fenfe  of  Jhame  amend  your  life.” 

The  Captain  Intimated  to  Abba  Thulle,  that  the  veffel 
being  completed,  and  the  weather  and  wind  fair,  they 
intended  to  fail  the  next  day : this  circumllance  feemed 
to  give  him  great  concern  ; he  faid  he  had,  by  the  re- 
turn of  the  melfenger  who  came  to  him  at  the  ifland  of 
Pethoull,  fent  word  to  the  Rupacks  of  the  different  iflands 
in  friendfhip  with  him,  that  the  day  afer  the  day  that 
the  Captain  now  mentioned  would  be  the  time  of  de- 
parture, they  all  wifhing  to  bring  the  Englifb  fome  pre* 
fents  for  their  voyage,  as  memorials  of  their  regard ; 
and  would  in  confequence  come  up  the  evening  of  the 
pext  day,  in  full  hope  of  feeing  them  before  they  quitted 

Oroolong- 


the  PELEW  islands.  165 

Oroolong,  a fatisfadion  they  would  now  be  deprived  of. 
. — Captain  JVilfon  told  yjbba  Thulle,  they  had  been  fo 
amply  Hocked  with  provifions  by  what  his  goodnefs  had 
prepared  for  them,  that  they  had  fufficient  llore  for  all 
their  voyage,  and  that  the  wind  and  weather  befriend- 
ing them,  they  muft  requcft  to  take  leave  of  him  the 
next  day.  The  difappointment  the  Chiefs  would  feel, 
fenfibly  affeilcd  the  King,  as  well  as  the  recolleftion 
that  he  had  himfelf  been  made  the  innocent  inftrument 
of  deceiving  them.  The  Captain  was  alfo  much  hurt  at 
finding  the  uneafinefs  this  circumftance  had  occafioned, 
and  the  more  fo,  when  he  perceived  that  the  generofity 
of  the  King’s  mind  foon  overcame  it ; for  he  almoft  di- 
re£Hy  told  him,  that,  as  it  be  the  lajl  day,  he  re- 
quefted  himfelf  and  his  officers  would  dine  with  him  on 
fhore  ; which  they  all  accordingly  did. — The  true  caufe 
which  induced  the  Engtl/h  to  think  of  going  a day  ear- 
lier than  they  had  given  out,  was  to  avoid  the  vaft  con- 
courfe  of  ftrangers,  who  they  knew  were  coming,  and 
who,  they  feared,  would  impede  their  operations  by  the 
number  of  their  canoes,  and  their  curiofity  to  examine 
the  veflel ; the  bullle  and  confufion  that  this  would  ne- 
celTarily  have  occafioned,  muft  have  unavoidably  incom- 
moded our  men,  and  prevented  them  from  going  away 
with  that  calmnefs  and  recolle(ftion  their  departure,  and 
paflhge  over  the  reef,  required. — After  dinner,  ^na 
Kooher,  who  had,  from  the  firft  day  of  feeing  the 
Newfoundland  Dog,  fet  his  herut  on  the  animal,  and 
had  often  expreiTed  a longing  defire  to  poftefs  it  when 
our  people  went  away,  now  renewed  his. fohcltations ; 
fiom  the  earneftnefs  with  which  he  begged  it,  and  the 
care  he  aflured  them  he  would  take  of  it,  they  were  in- 
duced’to  make  him  happy,  and  relinquifh  all  right  in 
poor  failor. 

Raa  Kcol,  vvhofe  thoughts  were  of  a different  turn, 
and  whofe  ideas  were  wholly  intent  on  benefiting  his 
country  by  every  information  he  could  obtain  from  the 
Dnglijh,  made  many  inquiries  about  the  mcliiod  of 
building  a veffel  in  tlieir  way  ; Mr.  Barler  drew  him  a 
plan  to  work  by,  recommending  the  jolly-boat  as  a mo- 
del. 


ANACCOUNTOF 

del,  rather  than  the  pinnace,  (lie  being  broader,  and  not 
of  fo  deep  a form.  He  expreficd  a wifii  to  have  the 
launching-w'ays  left,  and  faid,  if  he  was  able  to  com- 
pafs  fuch  a purpofe,  that  he  would  do  it  on  the  fame 
fpot,  eftceming  it  to  be  fortunate. — Alha  Thulle,  who 
had  been  diverted  by  yirra  Kooher’s  requeft,  appeared 
to  lend  a very  fcrious  attention  to  the  fubjedt  which 
had  fo  much  engaged  Raa  Kooh;  obferving  that  avith 
the  iron  and  tools  they  had  now  in  their  poiTcflion,  they 
could  do  more  work  in  a few  days,  than  they  could  be- 
fore in  as  many  months. — While  the  Captain  was  on 
fhore,  fome  words  had  arifen  between  two  of  his  men 
on  board,  which  had  produced  a blow,  and  a bloody 
nofe  ; this  palling  on  the  deck,  and  being  feen  by  ma- 
ny of  the  natives,  who  were  along  lide  in  their  canoes, 
the  account  of  it  foon  reached  the  Ihore  ; the  Captain 
went  immediately  on  board  to  inquire  the  caufe.  After 
reprimanding  the  parties,  he  returned  to  the  King,  who, 
being  apprized  of  the  bulinefs,  was  told  that  it  was  a 
trifling  difpute,  and  the  ciTcft  of  palCon  ; on  hearing 
■which,  he  faid,  “ there  were  }n  all  countries  had  men,  who 
* he  fuppofed  could  not  he  kept  in  order."  Some  of  the 
Rupacks,  however,  afleed  if  fuch  an  accident  might  hap- 
pen to  the  young  man  who  was  to  go  with  him  (mean- 
ing the  King’s  fon  ;)  Captain  IVitJon  aflured  them  no 
filch  thing  could,  as  Lee  Boo  would  be  as  his  own  fon, 
and  entirely  frnder  his  own  care  : with  which  anfwer 
they  all  appeared  fatisfied. 

Before  our  people  quitted  the  Cove,  they  left  an  Eng- 
lip}  pendant  hoifted  on  a large  tree,  which  grew  clofe  to 
where  their  tents  had  flood;  and  cut  upon  a plate  of 
copper,  the  following  infeription,  which,  after  being 
nailed  to  a thick  board,  was  affixed  to  a tree  near  the 
fpot  where  they  had  built  their  little  veffcl : 


The 


the  PELEW  islands.  167 


V 


The  Honoi*ablc 

Englifli  Eaft  India  Company’s  Ship 
The  Antelope, 

Henry  Wilson,  Commander, 

Was  loft  upon  the  reef  north  of  this  ifland 

In  the  night  between  the  9th  and  loth  of 
Aiiguft  ; 

Who  here  built  a veflel. 

And  failed  from  hence 
The  I2tli  day  of  November  1783. 

The  meaning  of  this  infcription  was  explained  to  the 
3Cng,  and  that  it  was  put  up  as  a memorial  of  the  Eng-; 
{ifh  having  been  there. — He  was  pleafed  with  the  idea, 
and  explained  it  himfelf  to  his  own  people,  promifing^ 
that  it  fhould  never  be  taken  down,  and  if  by  any  acci- 
dent it  fliould  happen  to  fall,  he  would  take  care  of  It, 
and  have  it  preferved  at  Pelev;. 

The  difeourfe  of  the  day  turned  much  on  the  fubjefb 
of  their  departure ; whilft  they  fat  together,  ylhba  Ehulk^ 
addrefling  Captain  Wilfon,  faid,  “ Tou  are  going;  and 
“ lu/jeti  gone,  I fear  the  inhabitants  of  Artingall  w;7/  come 
“ down  in  great  numbers  and  molefl  me,  as  they  have  done 
“ frequently  before;  and,  having  Iqfl  the  aid  of  the  Engliih, 
“ / Jhall  be  unable  to  reffl  them,  unlefs  you  will  leave  me  a 
**  few  of  your  mujkets,  which  you  have  already  taught  me 
“ to  hope  you  would." — Captain  IVifon  fpoke  to  his  offi- 
cers on  the  propriety  of  doing  this  inftantly  ; they  feem- 
ed  fomewhat  unwilling  to  put  the  arms  they  aftually 
meant  to  give  them,  into  their  hands  till  the  laft  mo- 
ment;— that  miftruft  which  had  pofTeffed  their  minds, 
ftm  kept  its  hold,  and  appeared  too  ftrongly  impreffed  on 
their  countenances  to  efcape  the  quick  difeernment  of 
the  King  ; who,  willing  perhyis  that  they  Ihould  know 


i68  ANACCOUNTOF 

he  had  noticed  their  apprehenfions,  with  that  calm,  rc- 
flefting  temper  which  marked  his  charafter,  aflced  if 
they  were  afraid  to  truft  him  with  a few  arms  ? “ IVhat 
“ is  there  (faid  he)  can  make  you  harbour  doubts  of  me?  I 
“ never  tflfed  any  fear  of  you,  but  endeavoured  to  con- 
“ Vince  you  that  I wj/hed your  friendfhip.  Had  1 been  dif 
“ pof  d to  have  harmed  you,  I might  have  done  it  long  ago; 

I have  at  all  times  had  you  in  my  power— dmt  have  only 
“ exercifed  that  power  in  making  it  ufeful  to  you — and  can 

you  not  confde  in  me  at  the  l^?” 

When  the  foregoing  pages  are  attentively  confidered, 
the  hofpitality  with  which  our  people  had  been  treated, 
both  by  Hlba  Thulle  and  the  natives,  from  the  firft 
friendly  interview  to  the  prefent  moment — who  had 
fpread  before  them  whatever  they  had  to  give,  or  their 
country  produced,  and  who,  added  to  all  this,  as  an  un- 
equivocal proof  of  the  high  opinion  he  entertained  of  the 
Englifh,  was  going  to  confign  his  own  fon  to  their  care 
—is  there  a reader  who,  recalling  all  thefc  circumftances, 
can  wonder  they  alFedled  the  fenfibility  of  Abba  Thulle? 
—Or  rather,  will  there  be  found  a reader  who  will  not 
be  ready  with  myfelf  to  alk.  Under  what  fun  was  ever 
tempered  the  fteel  that  could  cut  fuch  a paflage  to  the 
heart  as  this  juft  reproach  of  the  King’s  ? Every'  indi- 
vidual felt  its  force,  and  its  truth  ; every  individual  alfo 
felt  how  much  his  mind  had  injured  the  virtues  of  this 
excellent  man. — Nor  w'as  the  wound  of  this  reproach 
rendered  lefs  acute  by  the  confeioufnefs  each  man  had, 
of  having  been  fo  lately  Induced,  by  his  unjuft  fears, 
to  join  in  fuch  deftruftive  counfel  againft  him  and  his 
family. 

But  the  eye  of  philofophy  will  candidly  view  and  dif- 
criminate  between  the  two  parties ; the  people  of  Pelew 
tutqrqd  in  the  fchool  of  Nature,  adted  from  hei  impulfe 
alonet  they  were  open  and  undifguifed ; unconfeious  of 
deceit  themfelves,  they  neither  feared  nor  looked  for  it 
in  others. — Our  country'men — born  and  brought- up  in 
a civilized  nation,  where  Art  aftiimes  every  form  and  co- 
loring of  life,  and  is  even  peifeAioned  into  a fclence, 
were  faftiioned  by  education  to  fufpicion  and  diftruft. 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  169 

and  awake  to  all  their  bufy  fugged  ions. — Such  is  the 
fatal  knowledge  the  world  teaches  mankind,  fencing  too 
often  the  human  heart  againft  the  inlets  of  its  own  hap- 
pinefs,  by  weakening  confidence,  the  moft  valuable  bond 
of  focicty! 

The  King’s  rebuke  was  too  powerful  for  our  people 
to  refift;  they  inftantly  delired  the  Captain  to  affure  him, 
that  whatever  had  been  promifed  fhould  be  faithfully 
fulfilled,  and,  to  convince  him  they  could  have  no  fuf- 
picions,  the  arms  fliould  be  immediately  given  to  him  ; 
they  accordingly  fent  on  board  for  the  quantity  of  arms 
they  could  with  conveniency  fpare,  and  on  the  boat’s  re- 
turn prefented  him  with  five  mufkets,  five  cutlaffes, 
near  a barrel  of  gunpowder,  with  gun-flints,  and  ball  in 
proportion.  Captain  JVilfon  alfo  made  him  a prefent  of 
bis  own  fowling-piece,  with  which  he  feemed  to  be  par- 
ticularly pleafed,  having  often  feen  its  effedl  on  the  fowls 
and  other  birds  at  Peleiv. 

And  now  the  gentle  fpirit  of  the  King  appeared  to 
forget  the  trace  of  all  that  had  happened  ; — but  the  fcene 
enabled  every  one  prefent  to  tranfmit  to  pofterity  a moll 
captivating  piSure  of  the  forcible,  yet  mild  triumph  of 
virtue  i 


C H A P T E P. 


P 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF 


T'JO 


CHAPTER  XXL 


Lee  T3oo  an-hes,  atul  is  intncluced  to  Captain  Wllfon  ; 
at  the  King's  Diftre,  remains  all  Night  on  Shore, 
The  intjrejling  Manner  in  which  he  delivers  his  Son  to 
his  Care. — The  Captain  gives  Blanchard  Advice  how  to 
conduct  hinijelj, — In  the  Morning  Signals  Jor  Jailing  rear- 
ed. — A Boat  fent  to  bring  the  Captain  on  board.  The 
King  and  his  Brothers  accompany  them  to  the  Reef. — Mtil- 
, iitudes  of  the  Natives,  in  their  Canoes,  furround  the  Vejfel 
to  tejlify  their  Regard. — The  King  takes  an  aJfeSionate 
l.eave  of  the  Englllh. — CharaHer  of  Abba  ’1  hulle. — . 
Raa  Kook  croffes  the  Reef,  and  goes  a good  Way  to  Sea 
before  he  quits  them. — His  Chara&er. — The  EngHfh^/-c- 
ceed  on  their  Voyage  to  China. 

0 

Nov.  T N the  evening  arrived  the  King’s  fecond  fon, 
II.  X Lee  Boo;  he  ivas  brought  from  Pelew  by  his 
cider  brother,  Bill,  to  accompany  our  people  to 
England.  Plis  father  introduced  him  to  Captain  Wilfon, 
and  then  to  the  officers  tvho  were  on  ffioi  e ; he  approach- 
ed them  all  in  fo  eafy  and  fo  affable  a manner,  and  had  fo 
much  good-humor  and  fenfibillty  in  his  countenance, 
that  every  one  was  immediately  impreffed  in  his  favor, 
and  felt  that  intereft  for  him  which  his  amiable  manners 
daily  increafed. — Before  dark  the  officers  took  their  leave 
of  the  King,  and  went  on  board  the  Oroolong,  leaving 
the  Captain  behind,  whom  Alba  Thulle  had  requefted  to 
pafs  the  night  on  ffiore.  The  King  now  (having  Lee  Boo 
clofe  at  his  fide)  difeourfed  much  with  him,  giving  him  in- 
ttroftions  how  to  condudl  himfelf,  and  what  he  was  to  at- 
tend to ; telling  him  he  was  henceforward  to  look  upon 
Captain  JVilfon  as  another  father,  and  win  his  affedfion  by 
iobferving  his  advice. — Then,addreffing  the  Captain,  faid, 
When  Lee  Boo  got  to  England,  he  would  have  fuch  fine 
tilings  to  fee,  that  he  might  chance  to  flip  away  from 

“ him. 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  iji 
him,  to  run  after  novelty  ; but  that  lie  hoped  tlie  Cap- 
“ tain  would  keep  him  as  much  as  he  could  under  his 
it  eyifj  and  endeavour  to  moderate  the  cagcinefs  of  his 
“ j'outh.”  _ ^ 

After  further  converfation  relative  to  the  confidence 
repofed  in  Captain  JVilforiy  Abba  Thulle  concluded  Iiis  re- 
commendation in  nearly  thefe  exprchions  : — “ I I'jwhl 
“ in'ijh  you  to  inform  I.ee  Boo  of  all  things  ‘which  he  ought ^ 
“ to  blow,  and  make  him  an  Englifliman. — The  fuljeet  of 
“ parting  with  my  fon  I have  frequently  rcvolw^dj — I am 
“ well  aware  that  the  dijlant  countries  he  m'.rjl  go  through, 
“ dijftrin^  much  from  his  own,  may  enpofe  him  to  dangirs, 
“ as  well  as  to  df safes  that  are  unknown  to  us  here,  in  eon- ^ 
“ fquenec  of  which  he  may  die; — / have  prepared  my 
thoughts  to  this  ; — I know  tlo&l  death  is  to  all  men  hiivitall  , 
“ and  whether  my  fn  meets  this  event  at  Pelew,  or  elf  when:, 
is  imniateriuL — I am  fatisfied,  from  'what  I have  ohferved 
“ of  the  humanity  of  your  charaeler,  that  if  he  is  fvh,  j;;; 
“ will  he  kind  to  hint;  and,  foould  that  happen,  which  year 
“ uini'fl  care  cannot  prevent,  let  it  not  hinder  yu',  or  y;.r 
“ hrower,  or  your  fov,  or  any  of  your  ccunirynien,  returning 
“ here;  I Jhall  receive  you,  or  any  of  your  people,  in  friend- 
“ Jhip,  and  rejoice  to  fee  you  again.” 

Captain  IVilfon  repeated  his  aiTurance,  that  he  would 
have  the  fame  care  for  Lee  Boo  as  for  his  own  child,, 
and  that  nothing  Ihould  be  wanting  cn  his  pai't  to  tefii- 
'fy,  in  his  attention  to  the  fon,  the  gratitude  and  regard 
he  fnoukl  ever  feel  for  the  father. 

Tlie  thoughts  of  the  King,  as  well  as  thefe  of  the 
Captain,  were  too  much  engaged,  to  devote  much  (rf 
the  niglit  to  deep  ; Abba  Thulle  paffed  a coalideraldc 
part  of  it,  as  did  alfo  the  Rupacks,  in  difcoiufing  with 
their  young  countryman,  who  was  now  launching  into  a 
new  and  untried  world,  and  on  the  point  of  being  fepa- 
rated  by  an  immenfe  diflancc  from  every  former  connc  '- 
tioa. — Being  now  fo  near  to  their  departure.  Captain 
IVifai  took  this  opportunity  to  talk  again  with  Bhr- 
chord,  and  to  give  him  advice  how  he  fhtnild  conaucL  hiin- 
felf  towards  the  natives,  and  in  what  things  lie  could  be 
iudruftive  and  bcucficial  to  them  j particularly  in  woidj- 


172  AN  ACCOUNT  OF 

ing  fuch  iron  as  had  been  given  to  them,  and  what  more 
they  might  hereafter  obtain  from  the  wreck  ; and  alfo  in 
takingcareof  the  arms  and  ammunition  they  had  left  them, 
which  would  be  of  the  utmoft  confequence ; requefting 
he  would  never  go  naked,  like  the  natives,  as,  by  pre- 
ferving  the  form  of  drefs  his  countrymen  had  appeared 
in,  he  would  always  fupport  a fuperioiity  of  charafter; 
and,  that  he  might  he  better  enabled  to  follow  this 
advice,  he  was  furniflied  with  all  the  clothes  they  could 
fpare  ; and  direfted,  when  thefe  were  worn  out,  to 
make  himfelf  trowfers  with  a mat,  which  he  could  al- 
ways procure  from  the  natives,  and  thereby  preferve  that 
decency  he  had  always  been  accuftomed  to.— Nor  in  the 
inftrufiions  delivered  to  him,  were  forgotten  an  attenti- 
on to  his  religion  ; he  was  earneftly  exhorted  not  to 
ncgleft  thofe  a£ts  of  devotion  which  he  had  been  taught 
to  praflife  ; and  to  keep  a Salhath  or  Sunday,  and  fol- 
low thofe  Chriftian  duties  in  which  he- had  been  edu- 
cated — He  was  laftly  defired  to  afle  for  any  thing  that 
iic  might  think  would  be  of  ufe  and  comfort  to  him  : — 
when  he  requefted  to  have  one  of  the  fhip’s  compafTes ; 
and,  as  the  pinnace  was  to  be  left,  that  they  might  have 
the  vnafis,  fails,  oars,  and  every  thing  belonging  to  her  ; 
which  were  ail  given,  as  fcon  as  they  had  towed  the  veffel 
over  the  reef. 

In  the  morning,  at  day-light,  an  Enghfa  jacl  was 
hoifted  at  the  mall-head  of  the  velkl,  and  one  of  the 
fudvels  fired,  as  a fignal  for  failing  ; this  being  explained 
to  the  King,  he  ordered  boats  immediately  to  take  on 
board  yams,  cocoa-nuts,  fweetmeats,  and  other  things 
provided  for  the  voyage  ; befide  which,  many  canoes  of 
the  natives,  loaded  rvith  a profufion  of  provifion,  lay 
alongfide  the  Oroolong ; fo  that,  had  all  the  expefted 
' r.orthcm  added  their  intended  prefents,  it  would 

have  fupplied  a (hip  of  five  times  the  fize.  ^ 

As  foon  as  the  veffel  was  loaded  with  every  thing  they 
could  take  on  board,  and  ready  for  fca,  the  boat 
lent  on  Ihore  for  the  Captain  ; who  acquainting  the 
King  therewith,  he  fignifitd  that  he  and  his  fon  would 
come  on  board  pvefently  in  his  canoe. — Captain 


THE  P E L E W islands:  173 

took  Blanchard,  as  alfo  the  five  men  who  had  come  on 
(hore  for  him,  into  a temporary  houfc  that  had  been 
eredled  for  the  accommodation  of  the  Rttpack  dSIaafh, 

• who  was  expedled  from  the  northward,  and  being  en- 
tered, he  once  more  requefted  Blanchard  to  imprefs  on 
his  memory  all  that  advice  which  he  had  before  given 
him,  and  particularly  to  be  obfervant  or  his  duty,  that 
the  people  of  Pclciv  might  thereby  fee  that  be  retained 
that  faith  and  fenfe  of  religion  in  which  he  had  oeen  train- 
ed. He  then  made  the  feamen  prefent  kneel  down 
with  him,  and  unite  in  thankfgiving  to  that  Supreme 
Being,  who  had  not  only  fupported  their  fpirits  in  the 
midft  of  fevere  toils  and  dangers,  but  had  now  opened 
to  them  the  means  of  deliverance. — During  tins  act  of 
devotion,  the  ICing  and  his  Chiefs  remained  near  the  en- 
trance of  the  houfe,  obfeiwed  and  well  knew  what  our 
people  were  about,  and  preferved  a profound  filence. 

It  mull;  alfo  be  noticed,  that  when  Lee  Boo  came  up, 
a balket,  with  fome  dozens  of  a fruit  refembling  an  ap- 
ple, was  brought  from  Pele'zu ; they  were  of  an  oblong 
lhape,  and  ii^color  of  a deep  crimibn,  not  unlilce  what 
are  called  in  England,  The  Dutch  Parad'ife  ylfiple.* — 
They  fpoke  of  them  as  a fruit  that  was  very  rare,  and 
faid  they  were  juft  coming  in  feafon.  The  Captain  gave 
one  to  each  of  his  officers,  being  a fruit  they  had  not 
fecn  before ; and  the  reft  he  carefully  refervtd  for  his 
young  paftenger,  to  treat  him  with  during  his  voyage. 

About  eight  o’clock  in  the  morning  the  Captain  wenc 
on  board  in  his  boat ; the  King,  with  his  fon  Lee  Boo,  and 
his  Rupach,  followed  liim  very  foon  in  their  canoes,accom- 
panied  by  Blanchard;  their  little  veffel  was  fo  deeply  loadr 
ed  with  their  fea-ftores,  that  a doubt  arofc  whether  flic 
might  be  able  to  get  over  the  Reef,  it  was  therefore 
agreed  to  land  the  two  fix-pounders,  and  leave  the  jolly- 
boat  behind,  they  having  no  materials  wherewith  to 
repair  her,  and  without  it  (lie  could  not  much  longer 
P 2 fvvim. 

* Of  this  fruit  there  arc  different  forts,  in  many  of  the  South 
Sea  iflands ; it  is  the  J am’ooo  Apple,  the  Eugenia  MaliKee.^Jn  of 
Linngut, 


-174  A N A C C O U N T O F 

fwi;n.  This  being  made  known  to  the  King,  and  that 
they  were  in  v/ant  of  a boat,  he  immediately  offered  to 
li  pyly  them  with  a canoe,  and  pointed.to  feyeral  then 
along f;de  ; all  which  being  rather  too  large  to  hoift  on 
board  the  veffel,  the  King  defpatched  his  cldefl  fon, 
e?;//  B'tU,  on  fbere,  who  foon'  returned  with  one  of  a 
proper  fize. 

Mr.  Sharp  had  been  defired  to  take  the  King’s  fon  un- 
der his  particular  cate,  till  the  Qroulong  fliould  arrive  at 
China i and  Abba  ThuUe  now'  pointed  out  Mr.  Sharp  to 
hint,  wliom  he  faid  was  to  be  itis  Sucaltc ; and  from  that 
moment  Lee  Boo  attached  Iiimfelf  to  him,  keeping  clofe 
at  iiis  tide  in  wlir.tever  part  of  the  veffel  he  went.  In 
putting  every  thing  to  order  before  the  Oroolong  moved, 
there  was  a fmall  fail  belonging  to  the  pinnace,  which 
could  not  be  found.  Blanchard,  was  now  got  into  the 
pinnace,  in  order  to  take  the  veffel  in  tow ; he  had, 
with  the  moll  unwearied  affiduity,  lent  his  countrymen 
every  affiflnnce  in  liispow'cr  to  the  laft,  and,  having  laid 
up  craxfully  the  fail  iiiquired  after,  came  on;  beard  to 
fhew  where  he  had  flowed  it;  which  liffring  done,  he 
wifked  t’nem  all  a profperous  voyage,  and  without  tefti- 
fying  the  fmallcfl  degree  of  regret,  took  leave  of  all 
his  old  f;ip-mates,  with  as  much  cafe  as  if  they  were 
only  failing  from  London  to  Gravcjtnd,  and  were  to  re- 
turn with  the  next  tide. 

The  Oroolong  new  proceeded  towards  the  reef ; and, 
leaded  as  (he  liad  been  by  Abha  ‘Thullcs  bounty,  even  to 
fupetfluity,  with  whatever  he  conceived  might  be  ufeful 
or  pkafant  to  his  departing  friends,  yet  on  either  fide 
of  her  w'erc  a multitude  of  canoes,  filled  with  the  com- 
mon natives,  who.  had  all  brought  our  people  prefents 
from  themfelves,  entreating  they  might  be  accepted. — 
It  was  in  vain  they  were  told  that  the  veffel  was  fo  full 
there  was  no  room  to  receive  any  thing  more ; each 
held  up  a little  fomething,  “ Only  this  from  me” — “ On- 
“ ly  this  from  me,”  was  the  general  cry  ; — the  repetition 
of  which  was  urged  with  fuch  fupplicating  counte- 
nances, and  watery  eyes,  that  this  bewitching'  telUmcny 
cjf  affection  and  gencrofity  almoft  overcame  every  one  on 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  175. 

board. — From  fome  of  thofe  vvho^were  neareft,  a few 
yams  or  cocoa-nuts  were  accepted  ; and  the  poor  crea- 
tures whofe  entreaties  could  not  be  attended  to,  unaole 
to  bear  the  difappointment,  paddled  a-head,  and  threw 
the  little  prefents  they  had  brought,  into  the  pinnace, 
totally  ignorant  that  Ihc  was  to  return  back  with  Blan- 
chard. 

Several  canoes  preceded  the  pinnace,  to  mark  the 
fafeft  track  for  the  veffel ; and  others  were  ftationed  at 
the  reef,  by  the  King’s  command,  to  point  out  the  deep- 
eft  v’ater  for  her  pa.Tage  over  it : by  all  tlie  previous  ex- 
aminations, as  well  as  by  tbe  prefent  precautions,  tlie 
Oroolcng  cleared  the  reef  without  the  Icall  difficulty. 

The  King  accompanied  the  Engljh  in  their  veffel,  al- 
moft  to  the  reef,  before  he  made  a fignal  for  his  canoe 
to  come  alongfidc  ; he  gave  Lee  Boo  his  bleffing,  wifhing 
him  happy  and  profperous,  which  his  fon  received  with 

great  refpeft Seeing  Captain  IVilfon  bufied  in  giving 

diredlions  to  his  people,  he  ftopt  till  he  found  him  quite 
at  liberty,  and  then  went  up  to  him  and  embraced  him 
with  great  tciBernefs,  /hewing,  by  his  looks  and  voice, 
bow  much  he  was  diftre/Ted  to  bid  him  farewell;  lie 
fhook  all  the  officers  by  the  hand,  in  a moft  cordial 
manner ; faying,  “ 7'ou  are  happy  becanfe  you  are  going 
“ home; — I am  happy  to  Jind you  are  happy — but  fiill  vary 
“ unhappy  myfdf  to  fee  you  going  aivay.” — Then,  af- 
furing  our  people  of  his  affedlionate  wifhes  for  their  fuc- 
cefsful  voyage,  he  went  over  the  fide  of  the  veffel  into 
his  canoe.  —Moft  of  the  Chiefs  on  board  left  them  at 
the  fame  time,  except  Raa  Kook,  and  a few  men  who 
attended  him,  who  would  fee  the  Englifh  clear  of  dan- 
ger to  the  outfide  of  the  reef.  As  the  canoes  drew  clofe 
and  furrounded  that  of  the  King,  tlie  natives  all  looked 
up  eagerly,  as  to  take  leave,  whilft  their  countenances 
expreffed  all  their  benevolent  hearts  felt,  in  looks  more 
expreffive  than  language.  Our  countrymen  might  with 
truth  fay,  they  left  a whole  people  in  tears;  and  fo  fen- 
fibly  were  they  impreffed  themfelves  by  this  interefting 
feene,  that  when  uibba  Thulle  and  his  train  turned  back.^ 
to  Oreolon^,  they  were  hardly  abk  to  give  them  three 

cheery 


176  ANACCOUNTOF 

cheers,  and  their  eyes  purfued  them  to  catch  the  latefi: 
look,  whilft  every  man  on  board,  with  the  warmeft 
emotions  of  gratitude,  felt  the  efficacy  of  his  fervices, 
which  in  a great  meafure  had  brought  about  their  deli- 
verance— and  the  Ileadinefs  of  his  friendffiip,  which, 
though  from  imaginaty-  alarms  at  times  doubted,  they 
had  found  firm  and  unffiaken  to  the  laft. 

Having  now  bid  adieu  to  this  good  and  amiable 
prince,  it  may  not  be  improper  to  give  an  outline  of 
Lis  general  charadfer. — It  is  more  than  probable,  that  the 
curtain  is  for  ever  dropped  between  him  and  the  world ! — 
He  is  entered  into  his  own  unnoticed  domains,  where  he 
and  his  Anceflry  have  paffed  a long  fucceffion  of  ages 
in  oblivious  filence,  unknowing  and  unknown  to  their 
cotemporaries  Inhabiting  the  reft  of  the  globe. — An 
accident,  wholly  unexpedled,  hath  given  us  at  laft  a 
tranfient  fight  of  thefe  people ; nor  is  it  likely  that  they 
will  again  be  fought  or  looked  after,  as  they  polTefs 
nothing  but  good  fenfe  and  virtue,  and  live  in  a country 
which  fupplies  no  materials  that  may  tempt  the  avarice 
of  mankind  to  difturb  their  tranquiUityJ®-If  they  have 
not,  nor  yet  know  the  comforts  of  civilized  nations,  tire 
advantages  of  arts,  or  the  blandilhments  of  luxury — 
they  have,  in  counterpoife,  been  ignorant  of  the  anxi- 
eties they  awaken,  the  paffions  which  they  inflame,  and 
the  crimes  they  give  birth  to! — Even  in  their  ftate  of 
native  fimplicity,  as  piftured  in  the  foregoing  pages, 
there  is,  I ffiould  conceive,  fufficient  matter  to  intereft, 
and  ftill  far  more  to  admire.  With  regard  to  the  excel- 
lent man,  who  ruled  over  thefe  fons  of  Nature,  he  cer- 
tainly, in  every  part  of  his  condudl,  ftiewed  himfelf 
firm,  noble,  gracious,  and  benevolent ; there  was  a dig- 
nity in  aUhis  deportment,  a gentlenefs  in  all  his  manners, 
and  a warmth  and  fenfibility  about  his  heart,  that  won 
the  love  of  all  who  approached  him. — Nature  had  be- 
ftowed  on  him  a contemplative  mind,  which  he  had 
himfelf  improved  by  thofe  refleftions  that  good  fenfe 
(didlated,  and  obfervation  confirmed.  His  remarks  on 
«,the  affair  of  the  mullcets  were  as  pointed,  and  at  the 
fame  tirae  as  delicate  a reproof  as  perhaps  was  ever 

thrown 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDvS.  177 

thrown  out. — His  converfation  with  Captain  JVilfon,  re- 
fpe&ing  his  fon,  whilft  it  fhewed  an  unbounded  confi- 
dence on  tlie  part  of  the  King,  marked  alfo  the  force 
of  great  fentiment  and  reafoning;  and  his  rebuke,  when 
refufing  his  nephew’s  felicitation,  difeovered  a heart  tu- 
tored in  the  fentiments  of  refined  honor. 

The  happinefs  of  his  people  feemed  to  be  always  in 
Abba  ThuUe's  thovjghts. — In  order  more  effeftually  to 
ftimulate  them  to  ufeful  labor,  he  had  himfelf  learnt  all 
the  few  arts  they  pefTeffed,  and  was  looked  on,  in  fome 
of  them,  to  be  the  beft  workman  in  his  dominions. -*-Hi3 
requeuing  from  Captain  the  Chinefe  mat,  was  on- 

ly to  give  his  people  a better'.pattern  than  their  own  to 
follow  ; and,  in  feuding  his  fon  to  England,  and  in  the 
long  inftruftions  given  him  before  his  departure,  he 
had  not,  nor  could  have,  any  other  objeft  in  view, 
but  that  of  benefiting  his  fubjedts  by  the  future  im- 
provements he  would  bring  back  to  his  country;  ideas, 
which  the  intercourfe  he  had  with  the  Enghjh  muft  have 
folely  excited. — In  fhort,  had  his  lot  been  thrown  to 
rule  over  a great  nation,  connedted  with  mankind,  one 
is  at  liberty  to  conjedlure,  that  his  talents  and  natural 
difpoCtion  might  have  made  him  the  Pekr  of  the  fouth- 
ern  world ! 

Placed  as  he  was  by  Providence  in  its  obfeurer  feenes, 
he  lived  beloved  by  his  Chiefs,  and  revered  by  his  peo- 
ple; over  whom,  whilft  he  preferved  a dignity  that  dif- 
tinguiflied  his  fuperior  ftation,  he  reigned  more  as  the 
father  than  the  fovereign. — The  eyes  of  his  fubjedls  be- 
held their  naked  prince  with  as  much  awe  and  refpedl, 
as  thofe  are  viewed  with,  who  govern  poliftied  nations, 
and  are  decorated  with  all  the  dazzling  parade  and  orna- 
ments of  royalty;  nor  was  the  purple  robe,  or  the  fplendid 
diadem  neccfiaiy  to  point  out  a charadler,  which  the 
mafterly  hand  of  Nature  had  rendered  fo  perfeft! 

Plaving  pafled  the  reef,  and  being  clear  of  prefent’ 
danger,  every  one  would  have  been  in  great  fpirits,  had 
not  the  pain  of  quitting  thefe  friendly  people  over- 
Ihadowed  their  joy. — Raa  Kook  remained  very  penfive, 

, and  fuffered  the  veffel  to  proceed  a confiderable  way 

from 


*7®  anaccountof 

from  the  reef  before  he  recolleacd  hJmfclf,  and  fum- 
moned  his  canoes  to  return  back.— As  this  Chief  had 
been  their  firll  and  truly  valuable  friend,  they  prefented 
him  with  a brace  of  piilols,  and  a cartouch-box  loaded 
with  the  proper  cartridges. — The  pinnace  being  now  at 
the  fide  of  the  veffeJ,  the  Captain  and  officers  were  pj'e- 
paied  to  take  leave  of  the  General;  but,  when  the  mo- 
rnent  of  fieparation  arrived,  he  was  fo  affefted,  that  he 
wa?' Ht  nift  unable  to  fi^ak;  he»took  them  cordially 
by  the  hand,  and  pointing^with  the  other  to  his  heart, 
faid,»rV  inas  there  he  fit  thfimin  of  bidding  them  farewell ; 
nor  w^'e  there  any  on  bo^d  who  faw  his  departure  with- 
out lharing  nearly  the  fjere  dulrefs. — He  addrefied  Lee 
Boo  by  his  name,  and  ffioke  a few  words  to  him ; but, 
being  unable  to  proceed,  he  went  into  the  boat,  when, 
ji^mediateiy  quitting  the  rope,  he  gave  our  people  a laft 
anedlionate  look,  then  dropped  aflern. 

This  c.xcellent  man  appeared  to  be  fomewhat  upwards 
of  forty  years  of  age,  was  of  a middling  flature,  rather 
inciineblc  to  be  lufty;  he  had  a great  expreffion  of  fen- 
fibility  ill  his  countenance,  tempered  with  abundant 
^ood-naturc.  His^  charatler  was  firm  apd  determined, 
yet  full  of  humanit)' ; in  whatever  he  undertook  he  was 
Heady  and  perfevering;  he  delivered  his  orders  to  the 
people  with  the  utmoil  lenity,  but  would  be  obeyed ; 
and  they,  on  every  occafion,  feemed  to  ferve  him  wilii 
ardor  and  alacrity,  as  if  mingling  alFedlion  with  duty. 
The  reader  mult  have  obferved,  that  from  his  firll  inter- 
view wu’th  our  people,  he  had  Ihewm  an  attachment  to 
them,  which  was  never  after  leffened  or  cooled.  He 
was  not  of  fo  ferious  a call  as  the  King,  nor  had  he 
that  turn  for  humor  and  mimickry  which  Arra  Kcoher 
fo  llrongly  poireflld  ; but  he  was  always  pleafant  and 
lively,  had  abundant  good-humor,  and  w'eh-difpofed  tp 
laughter,  when  it  was  occafionally  excited.  He  had  an 
eager  fpirit  of  inquiry,  and  a defire  to  examine  the 
caufes  and  reafons  of  every  effeft  which  he  faw  pro- 
duced; and  was  wonderfully  quick  In  comprehending 
whatever  was  deferibed  to  him;  his  mind  was  llrong 
and  active,  his  behaviour  manly  and  courteous,  and  ac-^ 

companied 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  179 

companied  with  fo  nice  a fcnfe  of  honor,  that  he  felt 
it  wounded  whenever  any  of  the  natives  had,  by  their 
little,  trifling  thefts,  violated,  as  he  judged,  the  laws  of 
hofpitality,  which  he  held  moft  facred,  and  always  dif- 
covered  an  impatience  till  he  could  make  them  reftore 
what  they  had  taken  away.  This  he  carried  fo  far  as 
even  to  fhow  his  difpl^afure  at  the  Chief  Mhufer,  for  re- 
queuing a.cutlafs  of  Captain  IVUfon  (at  the  firll  inter- 
view) thinking  it  a breach  of  this  virtue,  to  folicit  a 
favor  of  thofe  who  were  fo  fituated,  as  not  to  be  at  liber- 
ty to  refufe  the  requell,  though  the  granting  it  might 
be  inconvenient.  He  was  much  amufed  by  the  peculiar 
manner  of  the  and  their  way  of  talking;  would 

frequently  lit  down  to  pick  oakum  with  them,  on  pur- 
pofe  to  fee  more  of  them,  without  feeming  to  intrude. 
Our  people  were  probably  partly  indebted  to  his  good 
offices  for  the  Ileady  friendlhip  the  King  had  for  them  ; 

, at  leall,  on  their  firll  coming,  he  certainly  intev^*"*-^^ 
t his  brother  in  their  favor.  He  beheld  all  duplicity  with 
: indignatipn,  and  publicly,  before  the  King,  fhewed  his 

contempt  of  Soogle,,  the  Malay,  who  had  dared  to  throw 
out  infinuations  prejudicial  ro  the.Pngfh.  He  was 
communicative  to  our  people  on  every  occafion,  and  at 
all  times  willing  to  explain  any  thing  to  them;  and, 
had  they  always  had  the  linguift  at  their  elbow,  or  a 
language  in  which  they  could  have  eafier  converfed  with 
him,  many  things  might  have  been  cleared  up,  which 
mull  now  remain  undetermined. — With  all  thefe  excel- 
lent qualities,  he  appeared  in  his  domellic  character 
equally  refpectable;  as  the  reader  will  recoUeft,  who 
has  had  a view  of  his  pleafant  deportment  in  his  own 
family,  and  has  feen  him  in  all  the  filent  majelly  of  grief 
attending  the  obfequies  of  a valiant  fon  who  had  been  llain 
in  fighting  for  his  country. — To  all  thefe  circumllances  I 
mull  add,  that  the  concern  he  difeovered  in  taking  leave 
of  his  nephew,  and  our  countrymen,  evidently  proved 
there  was  no  fmall  portion  of  fenfibility  lodged  about 
his  heart. 

Whilll  I am  doling  this  laft  remark  on  the  charadef 
of  Rita  Kookf  I cannot  avoid  making  a general  obfervati- 


i8o  ANACCOUNTOF 

on  on  the  people  of  Pelew,  who,  though  they  appear- 
ed to  be  Philofophers  in  adverfity.  Stoics  in  pain,  and 
Heroes  in  death,  yet,  in  many  of  the  more  delicate  feel- 
ings of  the  human  breaft,  tliey  pofTcffed  all  the  amiable 
tendernefs  of  a woman  1 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


7he  EnglHh,  in  the  Oroolong,  quit  the  Pelew  IJlanJs.— 
Jin  Account  of  their  Paffage  from  thence  to  Macoa. — 

’Their  Arrival  there. They  difpofe  of  their  Veffe!,  and 

proceed  to  Canton,  where  they  embark  for  England. 

Kov.  U R countrymen  being  now  in  a fair  way  of 
getting  to  China,  after  parting  with  their  hu- 
mane fil«nds  of  Pelew,  hauled  up  along  the  back  of  the 
reef,  N.  W.  by  N.  having  the  end  of  the  outer  breakers  on 
their  lee-beam. — At  noon  the  ifland  of  Oroolong  bore 
S.  E.  by  E.  -j  E.  diftant  about  four  leagues,  from  whence 
they  took  their  departure ; its  latitude  being  7019'  north, 
and  longitude  134°  40'  eaft  of  Greenwich. 

The  two  firft  days  after  leaving  the  Pelew  iflands, 
our  people  had  tolerable  weather,  with  light  fqualls  and 
rain,  the  wind  variable  from  E.  to  S.  E.  with  which 
they  fteered  to  the  northward. — Lee  Boo,  the  firft  night 
he  flept  on  board,  ordered  Boy  am,  his  fervant  (who  was 
one  of  the  two  Malays  from  Pelew)  to  bring  his  mat 
upon  deck;  a warmer  covering  was  ordered  for  him,  to 
defend  him  from  the  cold. — He  was  the  next  morning 
much  furprifed  at  not  feeing  land. — Captain  Wilfon  now 
clothed  him  in  a Ihirt,  waiftcoat,  and  a pair  of  trow- 
fers ; he  appeared  to  feel  himfelf  uneafy  in  wearing  the 
two  frft  articles,  and  foon  took  them  off  and  folded 
them  up,  ufing  them  only  as  a pillow;  but,  being  im- 
preffed  with  an  idea  of  the  indelicacy  of  having  no 
clothing,  he  never  appeared  without  his  trowfers ; and 
aa  the  veffel  proceeding  northward,  advanced  into  a cli-i 

mate 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  i8i 


I 

) 


mate  gradually  growing  colder,  he  felt  lefs  inconvenience 
in  putting  on  again  his  jacket  and  fliirt;  to  which,  when 
he  had  been  a "little  time  accuftomed,  his  new-taught 
fenfe  of  propriety  was  fo  great,  that  he  would  never 
change  his  drefs,  or  any  part  of  it,  in  the  prefence  of 
another  perfon,  always  retiring  for  that  purpofe  to  fome 
dark  corner  where  no  one  could  "fee  him. — The  moti- 
on of  the  veiTel  at  firft  made  him  vciy  fea  fick,  and  obliged 
him  frequently  to  lie  down;  this  licknefs  abating,  he 
had  one  of  the  apples  given  him  which  had  been  brought 
from  Pe/tw;  he  exprefled  a doubt  about  eating  it;  but, 
being  told  it  was  the  Captain’s  defire,  and  that 
Thulle  had  fent  them  for  him,  he  obferved  to  Boyam,  that 
he  was  much  indulged,  none  but  a few  great  people 
having  his  father’s  permillion  to  eat  of  this  fruit.  * 

This  young  man  was  remarkably  clean  in  his  perfon, 
wafliing  himfelf  feveral  times  a day ; and  as  foon  as  he 
was  perfedtly  recoveied  from  his  fca-ilcknefs  appeared  to 
be  eafy  and  contented.  The  latitude,  on  the  fourteenth  at 
noon,  was  9°  38'  north  by  obfervation. — The  day  follow- 
ing was  cloudy  but  good  weather,  with  a fwell  from  the 
N.  E. — They  faw  a few  fea-birds  and  flying-fifh  ; and, 
having  an  obfervation  at  noon,  found  they  were  in  latitude 
10°  45'  north ; the  weather  continued  moderate,  though 
cloudy,  and  their  little  veflel  (excepting  a fmall  leak) 
was  found  in  every  refpedl  equal  to  their  hopes. — They 
had  this  forenoon  prayers  read  upon  deck,  all  our  peo- 
ple having,  in  this  happy  deliverance,  too  ftrong  a re- 
colledlion  of  the  mercies  of  Providence  not  to  offer  them 
pubh'cly,  with  hearts  full  of  gratitude.  The  latitude 
at  noon  was  12°  i'  north. — Lee  Boo  was  now  fo.  well 
recovered  as  to  eat  a flying-fifli  that  was  caught  apoa 
deck,  and  fome  yam,  having  till  this  time  eat  very  lit- 
tle.— He  this  afternoon  told  Boyam,  that  he  ivas  ferJlbL 
his  father  and  family  had  been  very  unhappy  from  knovuid'^ 
that  he  had  been  ftek. 


November 


* This  remark  of  Let  Bees  ajrees  v.'ith  the  King’s  tellinjr 
Captain  JVilfoK,  when  he  gave  hun  thofc  apples,  that  they  wer^ 
a great  rcriry. 


iS:!  A N A C C O U N T O F 

November  1 7.  The  weather  continuing  fair,  witli 
the  wind  from  the  N.  E.  and  eaft,  tliey  endeavoured 
this  morning  to  make  more  100m,  by  re-ftowing  their 
provifion  and  ftores  ; in  doing  which  they  difeovered  that 
the  leak  was  under  the  end  of  one  of  tlie  floor-timbers ; 
it  was  propofed  to  cut  it  away,  in  order  to  come  at  and 
flop  it  from  within,  but  on  more  mature  deliberaticn 
this  was  thought  to  be  too  dangerous  an  attempt,  as  it 
might  occafion  the  flarting  of  a plank,  which  would  ex- 
pofe  the  vefltl  to  the  almoft  certainty  of  finking;  the 
■idea  was  therefore  immediately  given  up,  as  the  water 
made  was  eafily  cleared  by  two  men  at  the  pump. — The 
latitude  at  noon,  by  obfervation,  was  13'^  19'  nortli. — 
In  the  night  they  had  ftrong  fqualls,  variable  to  the 
northward,  with  rain,  and  at  times  had  very  hot  pufi's 
of  wind,  as  if  from  land;  they  kept  under  an  eafy  fail 
and  a good  look-out  until  day-light,  but  faw  no  appear- 
ance of  land  ; the  weather  being  very  unfettled,  with 
iqualls  and  rain,  and  the  wind  varying  at  times  to  the 
eaflwnrd,  fouthward,  and  S.  W.  with  lightning  and  dark 
clouds.  — On  the  twenty-firfl  they  found,  by  obfervation, 
their  latitude  to  be  17°  47'  north,  and  the  next  day  were 
in  18°  29'  north:  the  weather  continuing  very  imfettled, 
with  frequent  fqualls,  the  wind  remaining  in  the  E.  and 
S.  E.  quarters  until  the  twenty-third,  when  it  veered 
round  to  the  N.  E.  with  rain,  till  the  next  morning, 
the  weather  becoming  then  moderate  and  fair ; the 
latitude  at  noon  was  20°  43'  north,  by  obfervation; 
in  the  night  they  had  fome  light  fqualls,  and  kept 
a good  look-out  for  the  land. — In  the  morning, 
about  three  o’clock,  having  great  ripplings  in  the 
water,  they  hauled  up  to  the  northward  till  day-light, 
v.hcn  they  faw  the  Bajhee  iflands  bearing  W.  N.  W. 
diftant  about  three  leagues.  This  circumftance  much 
plcafed  Lee  Boo.  He  was  eager  to  learn  their  names, 
which  being  told  him  repeatedly,  until  he  could  pro- 
nounce them ; he  took  a piece  of  line,  which  he  had 
brought  with  him  for  the  purpofe  of  making  i-emarks, 
and  tied  a knot,  thereon,  as  a remembrance  of  the  cir- 
cu:nltance. — At  feven  o’clock  the  wind  clianging  to  the 

northward. 


the  PE  lew  islands.  1S3 

northward,  they  bore  away  through  a pafTags  between 
tlie  iflands,  and  at  noQir  were  in  the  C/:;;:a  fea,  th.eir 
latitude  21’ 5'  north,  by  obfervation ; they  had  now 
fair  weather  v.  ith  fniohth  water,  and  by  four  o clock  in 
the  afcerncon  had  loll  fight  ot  the  B:'Jhce  iflands.  . 

November  26.  The  next  morning  about  nine  o’clock 
they  faw  land  upon  tlicir  quarter,  bearing  from  N.  E.  t 
N.  to  E.  N.  E.  being  part  of  the  ifland  cf  Fenunfa ; 
at  noon  their  latitude  was  21°  49'  north.  The  fair  wca* 
tlicr  continued  nest  day,  but  with  a iwtll  from  the  north- 
ward, which  wet  them  a little;  their  latitude,  at  nocn,  be- 
ing 2 2°  17'  north..*  The  wind  increaung  in  the  aftcrncon 
to  a frefh  gale,  they  now  felt  a material  change  to  cold,  of 
which  th.ey  were  the  more  fenfible  from  tire  hot  weather 
they  had  before  experienced.  The  next  morning  they 
faw  feveral  Chincfe  fifhing-boats,  and  a fmall  China  j uni.  " 
At  eight  o’clock  they  faw  land,  being  a fmall  hill,  bear- 
ing N.  by  W.  at  noon  they  were  in  latitude  <J20  20' 
north.  The  wind  blowing  briikly,  at  one  o’clock  in  the 
morning  they  got  foundings  at  twenty-live  fathom,  fofc 
ground ; they  kept  founding  during  the  night,  and  at 
feven  o’clock  in  the  morning  they  faw  the  land,  bear  ing 
from  N.  by  E.  to  W.  S.  W.  they  ftood  in  amongie 
the  iflands,  as  the  wind  would  permit,  and  at  noon  were 
ir  latitude  22°  8'  north,  the  high  land  called  the 
F.ars  then  bearing  S.  S.  W.  They  fleered  to  the  w.cil- 
ward  amongfl;  the  iflands  until  fix  o’clock  in  the  evening, 
when  they  anchored  in  ten  fathom  water,  a foft  clay 
bottom,  amongll  fome  fmall  Chir.:p  vefleb. — La  Bco 
appeared  quite  delighted  at  the  light  of  land,  and  the 
num’oer  of  boats  on  the  water. 

November  30.  The  next  morning  Captain  IVC,'-n 
procured  a pilot  to  conduft  their  vcffel  between  the  iflanrb 
to  Alacoa;  and  when  they  came  in  light  of  it,  an  Eng- 
I'lJ}}  jack  was  hoilled  at  the  mafl-head,  which  being  fccii 
by  tire  officers  of  the  Portuguefi  fliips  at  anchor  in  the 
they  immediately  fent  their  boats  to  meet  our 

people, 

is  ihe  name  given  hy  Europeans  to  the  Ch:i:rfe-h\\\\t  vef- 
feb  employed  in  their  home  or  coafling  trade;  feme  of  them  are 
very  lirge,  aad  trade  to  Batavia  and  IVIalucca. 


1.84  ANACCOUNTOF 

people,  bringing  with  tliem  fruit  and  provifions,  as  alfo 
men  to^afiift  theiBi  judging,  frpit^the  fize  of  their  little 
tnat  theymuft  be  part  of  |ptne  English  (hip’s  crew 
that  had  been  wrecked ; and  one  bf  the  officers  was  fo 
obliging  as  to  wait  with  his  boat  to  take  the  Captain  on 
iliore  to  the  Governor;  who,  being  at  that  time  engaged 
on  particular  bufinefs,  dt fired  to  be  excufed  from  feeing 
the  Captain,  but  acquainted  him,  by  the  officer  on  du- 
tv,  ^ that  they  were  welcome  to  the  port  of  Macoa. 
I'his  gentleman  informed  Captain  Wilfon,  that  the  Ho- 
norable Company’s  fupa-cargccs  were  ail  up  at  Canton ^ 
and  that  there  was  no  Englijh  gentleman  then  at  Macoa, 
but  Mr.  M'Jntyre,  to  whom  Captain  JVilfen  immediately 
went  on  taking  leave  of  this  officer,  having,  when  be- 
fore at  Macoa,  in  the  /Intelcpe,  received  many  teftimo- 
nies  of  this  gentleman’s  friendfi'.ip;  who,  when  he  heard 
of  Captain  IHifon’s  misfortunes,  with  his  wonted  huma- 
nity and  attention  ordered  provifions  to  ’oe  fent  on  board 
the  ven'cl  to  the  officers  and  people,  and  fuch  other 
necefihrics  as  they  might  (land  in  need  of ; whilil  the 
Capt.iia  wrote  to  the  Company’s  fupercargocs,  to  ac- 
quaint them  with  the  fate  of  the  Antelope,  as  alfo  of  his 
aiTival  and  fituation;  which  letters  Mr.  McIntyre  im- 
mediately forwarded  to  Canton. — 1 Ijev'  now  learnt  that 
I'eacc  was  eftablifiied  in  Europe,  and  that  there  were  a 
number  of  Eug!j/h  and  other  (hips  at  Whampoa;  that 
fon.e  of  the  Company’s  llilps  were  leaded  and  ready  to 
fail,  which  was  moft  welcome  intelligence. — Before  Cap- 
tain JViifon  went  on  fliorc,  Me  Boo,  on  feeing  the  large 
Pevtuguefe  (hips  at  and’.or  in  the  Pypa,  appeared  to  be 
greatly  aflonifijcd,  cxcliiming,  as  he  looked  at  them, 
t/iou,  cloav,  muc  clonv!  that  is,  Large,  large,  very  large!. 
lie  gave  our  people  an  early  opport.vnity  of  feeing  t!.e 
natural  benevolence  of  his  mind;  for  fome-  of  the  Chinefc 
boats,  that  are  rowed  by  pear  Tartar  women,  with  their 
little  children  tied  to  their  hacks  (and  who  live  in  faim- 
li’es  on  the  water)  furrounded  the  vcfiTel,  to  petition  for 
fragments  of  viduals — the  young  Prince,  on  noticing 
.their  fui  plications,  gave  them  oranges,  and  fuch  other 


THE  PELEVnT  islands.  185 
tilings  as  he  had,  being  particularly  attentive  to  offer 
them  thofc  things  which  he  liked  bell;  himfelf. 

December  i.  The  -next  morning  Mr.  with 

a Portuguffe  gentleman  pf  Mctcoa,  accompanied  the. 
Captain  on  board  the"  Orvelmg,  taking  with  tlicm  all 
kinds  of  refreflinients  and  provilions  rea^  dreffed.  Ill 
the  evening  they  took  Pee  B 30  and  all  the  officer;  on 
ffiore,  except  the  Chief  Mate,  who  remained  with  the 
people  to  take  care  of  the  veflcl,  till  they  fliould  receive 
orders  from  the  Company’s  fupercargoes. 

The  Portugitefe  gentleman,  who  paid  Captain  Wilj'.n 
this  vlfit,  expreffied  much  phafure  in  feeing  the  Pehii> 
Prince,  and  on  going  on  ffiore,  requeiled  that  the  N-.-w 
Man  (as'he  called  Lee  Boo)  might  be  permitted  to  vlf  t 
his  family. — This  being  the  firtt  houfe.oiir  young  travel- 
ler had  ever  feen,  he  was  apparently  loit  in  filent  admi- 
ration; what  ftruck  moil  his  imagination  at  firil,  was, 
the  upright  walls  and  the  flat  cielings  of  the  room;;  he 
feemed  as  if  puzzling  himfelf  to  comprehend  how  they 
could  be  formed;  and  the  decorations  of  the  rooms  were 
alfo  no  fmall  fubjecl  of  aftoniffiment.  When  he  was  In- 
troduced to'the  ladies  of  the  family,  his  deportment  was 
fo  eafy  and  polite,  that ' it  was  exceeded  only  by  his 
abundant  good-nature;  fo  far  from  being  em.barrafTed, 
he  permitted  the  company  to  examine  his  hands,  which 
w'ere  tatooed,  and  appeared  pleafed  with  the  attention 
ffiewn  him.  When  he  retired  with  Cap.tain  his 

behaviour  left  on  the  mind  of  every  one  prefent  the  im- 
preffion,  that  however  great  the  furprife  might  be,  which 
the  fccnes  of  a new  world  had  awakened  in  him.  It  could 
hardly  be  exceeded  by  that  which  his  own  amiable  man- 
ners and  native  pollffi  v.-ould  excite  in  others. 

Macca  being  the' firil  land  our  people  had  fet  foot  oa 
fince  they  left  the  Pelevo  iflands,  they  congratulated  one 
another  very  cordially,  Lee  Boo  feeming  to  join  in  tiie 
congratulation  as  w’armly  as  any  one.  Mr.  liPlnlye 
conducled  them  to  his  own  houfe,  where  they  were  in- 
troduced into  a large  hall  lighted  up,  with  a table  In  the 
middle,  covered  for  fupper,  and  a fideboard  handi'umely 
decorated.— Here  a new  feene  bui'Il  at  oace  on  Lee  Bm’s 

mlnd^ 


1^6  ANACCOUNTOF 

mind,  he  was  all  eye,  all  admiration.  The  vefielr.  of 
glafs,  appeared  to  be  the  objefts  which  riveted  mod  his 
attention.  .Mr.  McIntyre  fliewed  him  whatever  he  con- 
ceived would  amufe  him  ; but  every  thing  that  funound- 
ed  him  was  atti acting  his  eye  was  like  his  mind,  loft 
and  bewildered. — It  was  in  truth  to  him  a feene  of  ma- 
gic, a fairy  tale.- Amcngft  the  things  that  folicited  his 
notice,  was  a large  mirror  at  the  upper  end  of  the  hall, 
which  refiefted  almoft  his  whole  perfon.  Here  Lee  Boo 
ftood  in  pci  feet  amazement  at  feeing  himfelf he  laugh- 
ed— he  drew  back,  and  returned  to  look  again,  quite 
abforbed  in  wonder — He  made  an  effort  to  look  behind, 
as  if  conceiving  fomebody  was  there,  but  found  the 
ghfs  fixed  clofe  to  the  wall.  Mr.  McIntyre,  obferving 
the  idea  that  had  creffed  him,  ordered  a fmall  glafs  to 
be  brought  into  the  room,  wherein  having  viewed  his 
face,  he  looked  behind,  to  dii'cover  the  perfon  who  look- 
ed at  him  ; totally  unable  to  make  out  how  all  this  was 
produced. 

Nor  did  Lee  Boo's  furprife  at  feeing  himfelf  in  the 
mirror,  much  exceed  that  of  each  of  our  own  people, 
though  the  caufe  was  different,  not  one  of  them  having 
ever  got  a glimpfe  of  their  own  face  from  the  time  of. 
the  wreck,  each  having  only  noticed  the  hollow-eyed  and 
lank  look  of  his  companions ; but  when  they  now  ftood 
before  the  mirror,  every  one  individually  perceived  that 
hard  labor,  hard  living,  fpare  diet,  and  anxiety  of  mind, 
had  wrought  a change  in  every  countenance  far  greater 
than  they  could  have  imagined. 

After  palling  an  evening,  which  had  been  rendered 
pleafant  and  cheerful  from  the  hofpitality  of  their  hoft, 
and  the  fimplicity  of  Lee  Boo,  our  people  retired  for 
the  night : whether  Lee  Boo  paffed  it  in  fleep,  or  in  re- 
flefting  on  the  occurrences  of  the  day,  is  uncertain  ; 
but  it  is  more  than  probable  they  were  in  the  morning 
recollefted  by  him  in  the  confufed  manner  in  which 
we  recall  the  traces  of  a dream. 

The  next  day  he  had  more  leifure  to  examine  the 
boufe  in  which  they  had  llept ; the  upright  walls  aad 
ftat  cieiings  ftiU  continued  to  be  the  objeftj  of  bis  fui- 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  187 

ptife  ; he  was  perpetually  feeling  the  firft,  as  if  he 
thought  he  could  thereby  gain  an  idea  of  their  coiit 
ftrudlion  ; but  the  latter  feetning  fclf-fuppoited,  was  be- 
yond what  his  mind  could  at  that  time  comprehend. 

As  our  people  were  too  numerous  to  remain  with  Mr. 
McIntyre,  without  trefpaiTing  on  him,  Captain  Witfon  re- 
quelled  his  afliftance  to  form  an  eftablilhment  of  their 
own ; in  which  he  complied,  by  accommodating  them 
with  a houfe  belonging  to  an  Engltjh  gentleman  then  at 
Canton ; and  having  provided  them  with  fervants,  and 
neceflaries  for  their  table,  they  fent  for  the  crew  of  the 
Oroolong  on  fliore,  leaving  one  officer  and  a few  men  on 
board,  who  were  alternately  relieved. 

Soon  after  our  people  came  on  (hore,  fome  of  them 
went  to  purchafe  things  they  were  in  want  of,  in  doing 
which  they  did  not  forget  L^e  Boo,  who  was  a favorite 
with  them  all ; they  bought  him  fome  little  trinkets, 
fuch  as  they  thought  would  from  their  novelty  pleafe 
him. — Amongft  them,  was  a firing  of  large  glafs  beads, 
the  firft  fight  of  which  almoft  threw  him  into  an  eclla- 
fy  ; he  hugged  them  with  a tranfport  that  could  not  be 
exceeded  by  the  interefted  pofleflbr  of  a firing  of  pearls 
of  equal  magnitude. — His  imagination  told  him  he  had 
in  his  hands  all  the  wealth  the  world  could  afford  him. 
— He  ran  with  eagernefs  to  Captain  Wtlfon,  to  fhew  him 
his  riches,  and,  enraptured  with  the  idea  that  his  fami- 
ly ffiould  fiiare  them  with  him,  he,  in  the  utmoft  agita- 
tion, entreated  Captain  Wtlfon  would  immediately  get 
him  a Cbinefe  veffel,  to  carry  his  treafures  to  Pehm, 
and  deliver  them  to  the  King,  that  he  might  diftribute 
them  as  he  thought  beft,  and  thereby  fee  what  a coun- 
try the  Englijh  had  conveyed  him  to ; adding,  that  the 
people  who  carried  them  ffiould  tell  the  King,  that  Lee 
Boo  would  foon  fend  him  other  prefents.  He  alfo  told 
Captain  Wtlfon,  that  if  the  people  faithfully  executed 
their  charge,  he  would  (independent  of  what  ^bla 
7hulh  would  give  them)  prefent  them  at  their  return 
with  one  or  two  beads,  as  a reward  for  their  fidelity. 
-—Happy  ftate  of  fimplicity  and  innocence,  whofe  plea- 
furcs  can  be  put  chafed  on  fuch  eafy  terms,  and  whofe  fe- 
licity 


i88  AN  ACCOUNT  OT 

licity  arlfes  from  an  ignorance  of  tkofe  objefts  which 
difquiet  the  human  race,  and  agitate  their  paflions ! 
But  one  grieves  to  think  this  fentiment  cannot  be 
indulged,  without  reflefting  how  foon  a knowledge  of 
the  world  deftroys  the  illufion  of  this  enviable  enchant- 
ment ! 

In  a few  days  Captain  IVilfon  received  letters  from 
the  fupercargoes,  exprefling  their  concern  for  his  misfor- 
tunes, and  the  fatisfa6lion  they  received  in  his  fafe  re- 
turn, with  his  (hip’s  company,  after  fo  many  perils  ; 
accompanying  the  letters  with  a variety  of  neceflaries, 
and  warm  clothes,  and  advifing  the  difpofal  of  the  vefTel 
and  (lores,  as  the  Chincfe  government  would  not  admit 
of  her  coming  up  to  Whampoa  without  paying  duty  and 
port  charges  to  a confidcrable  amount. 

Mr.  McIntyre  alfo  received  letters,  defiring  him  to 
furnifh  them  with  money,  and  every  thing  ell'e  they 
might  be  in  want  of. — t hey  alfo  received  congratulato- 
Tj  letters  from  their  particular  friends,  on  their  arrival 
at  Macoa,  after  the  hardfhips  they  had  fuftained ; and 
thefe  were  accompanied  by  other  letters  from  the  com- 
manders of  feveral  of  the  Company’s  (hips,  kindly  of- 
fering to  accommodate  them  with  a palTage  to  England. 
— And  it  would  be  an  injuftice  to  the  .gratitude  and 
feelings  of  Captain  Wilfon  and  his  officers,  (hould  the 
•recorder  of  thefe  events  omit  to  mention  the  kind 
treatment  they  experienced  from  the  Company’s  fuper- 
cargoes;  from  feveral  Portuguefe  gentlemen,  inhabitants 
of  Macoa;  and  alfo  from  the  Commodore  of  their  (hips, 
who  being  almoll  ready  to  fail  for  Europe^  offered  Captain 
Wilfon,  with  many  kind  expreffions,  a paffage  in  his  (hip, 
for  himfclf,  and  fuch  other  perfons  as  he  might  wi(h  to 
take  w'ith  him. 

WhlKl  Lee  Boo  remained  at  Macoa,  he  had  frequent 
opportunities  of  feeing  people  of  different  nations  ; and 
alfo  was  (hewn  three  EngViJls  women,  who,  Having  loft; 
their  hufbands  In  India,  had  been  fent  from  Madras  thi- 
ther, and  were  waiting  there  to  return  to  Europe,  io 
whom  the  ne-M  man,  as  he  was  called,  gave  the  prefer- 
ence to  any  other  of  the  fair  fex  he  had  feen. — -This 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  189 

early  decifion  made  in  favor  of  our  country-women,  and 
made  by  one  who  could  feel  no  prejudices,  but  judged 
( by  his  eye — had  this  amiable  youth  lived  to  have  been 
I much  known  in  England,  muft  have  infured  him  the 
[ countenance  and  favor  of  all  the  ladies. 

Having  no  quadrupeds  at  Pelew,  the  two  dogs  left 
there  were  the  only  kind  he  had  feen  ; therefore  the 
fheep,  goats,  and  other  cattle  which  he  met  with  whilff 
at  t\'Iacoa,  were  viewed  with  wonder.  The  Newfound^ 
\ land  dog,  which  had  been  given  to  his  uncle  Jlrra  Kooker, 
being  called  Sailor,  he  applied  the  word  Sailor  to  every 
animal  that  had  four  legs. — Seeing  fome  horfes  in  a lia- 
ble, he  called  them  Clon>  Sailor,  that  is.  Great  Sailor; 
but  the  next  day  feeing  a man  pafs  the  houfe  on  horfeback, 
he  was  hirnfelf  fo  wonderfully  aftoniflied,  that  he  wanted 
every  one  to  go  and  fee  the  llrange  light.  He  went  af- 
terwards to  the  llablcs  wdiere  the  horfes  were ; he  felt, 
he  ftioked  them,  and  was  inquifitive  to  know  what  their 
food  was,  having  found,  by  offering  them  fome  oranges 
he  had  in  his  pocket,  that  they  would  not  eat  them.  He 
avas  ealily  perfuaded  to  get  on  one  of  their  backs ; and 
when  he  was  informed  what  a noble,  docile,  and  ufefal 
animal  it  was,  he  with  much  earneftnefs  befought  the 
Captain  to  get  one  fent  to  his  uncle  Raa  Koolc,  to  whom 
he  faid  he  was  fure  it  would  be  of  great  fervice. 

They  were-  now  waiting  for  a permit  and  boats  to 
take  them  to  Canton,  when  Captain  Churchill  of  the 
IValpoli,  having  made  his  paffige  to  China  againfl  the 
Monfoon,  arriving  at  Llacoa  at  this  time,  was  fo  oblig- 
.ing  as  to  accommodate  them  with  a paflage  to  lVham~ 
,poa;  only  Mr.  Benger,  with  live  or  fix  of  the  men,  re- 
maining at  Macoa  with  tlie  Oroolong,  till  file  [lliould  be 
dif])ofed  of. 

Daring  the  time  Lee  Boo  was  in  the  JValpole,  he  had 
fnfHcient  matter  to  keep  all  his  faculties  awake  ; the  fur- 
niture, tables,  chalr-6,  lamps,  and  the  uprigiit  bulk-heads, 
with  the  deck  over  head,  were  all  furpriling ; after  his 
eye  had  in  filence  run  over  thefe  objefts,  he  whifpered 
to  Captain  IVilfon,  that  Clow  Ship  was  Houfe,  I:  is 
more  than  probable  that  nothing  0:1  board  the  Walpole 


19^  ANACCOUNTOF 

efcaped  his  notice,  as  it  was  evident  nothing  on  (hors 

At  Canton,  the  number  of  houfcs,  the  variety  of 

(hops,  and  the  multitude  of  artificers,  induced  him  to 
fay,  there  was  a Tackalby  for  every  thing. — Being  at 
the  Company’s  table,  at  the  faftory,  the  vefleJs  of  glafs, 
of  various  fhapes  and  files,  particularly  the  glafs  chan- 
deliers, attradfed  his  notice. — When,  on  looking  round, 
he  furveyed  the  number  of  attendants  ftanding  behind 
tne  gentlemen’s  chairs,  he  obferved  to  Captain 
that  the  King,  his  father,  lived  in  a manner  very  dif- 
ferent, having  only  a little  fifh,  a yam,  or  a cocoa-nut, 
which  he  eat  from  off  a . leaf,  and  drank  out  of  the  (hell 
of  the  nut ; and  when  his  meal  was  finiflied,  wiped  his 
mouth  and  fingers  with  a bit  of  cocoa-nut  liufk ; 
whereas  the  company  prefent  eat  a bit  of  one 
thing,  and  then  a bit  of  another,  the  fervants  always 
fupplying  them  with  a different  plate,  and  different  forts 
of  veflels  to  drink  out  of. — He  feemed  from  the  firft 
to  reliili  tea ; coffee  he  difliked  the  fmeil  of,  and  there- 
fore refufed  it,  at  the  fame  time  telling  Captain  Wilfon 
he  •would  drink  it  if  hi  of'iL’rcd  him. — On  their  arrival  at 
Macoa,  one  of  the  feaman  h-Ing  much  intoxicated,  Lee 
Boo  exprefled  great  concern,  thinking  him  very  ill,  and 
applied  to  Mr.  Sharp,  the  furgeon,  to  go  and  fee  him ; 
being  told  nothing  material  ailed  him,  that  it  was  only 
the  effect  of  liquor,  that  common  people  were  apt  to 
indulge  In,  and  that  he  would. foon  be  well,  he  appear- 
ed fatisfied ; but  would  never-  after  even  tafte  fpirits,  if 
^ny  were  offered  him,  faying,  it  >was  not  drink  Jit  for 
gentlemen. — As  to  his  eating  and  drinking,  he  was  in 
both  temperate  to  a degree. 

After  they  had  been  about  five  or  fix  days  at  Canton, 
Mr.  Btnger,  and  the  men  who  remained  with  him  at 
Macoa,  accompanied  by  Mr.  McIntyre,  came  up  in  one 
of  the  country  boats  to  Canton. — ^The  window  where 
Lee  Boo  was  then  at  breakfaft  looked  towards  the  water ; 
the  moment  he  got  a diftant  view  of  them,  without 
faying  a word  to  tire  Captain,  or  other  perfon,  he  fprang 
from  his  feat,  and  was  at  the  edge  of  the  river  befois: 
the  boat  reached  the  fhore ; he  received  them  with  fuch 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  19s 

)0}'  and  eagernefs,  and  (hook  their  hands  with  fuch  ex- 
prcfllons  of  affedlion,  as  won  their  warmeft  regard ; he 
I'eemed  impatient  till  he  could  get  them  into  the  houfe, 
fearing  that  by  (laying  behind  they  had  not  fared  fo 
well  as  himfelf. 

When  our  people  went  on  board  the  Walpole,  Mr. 
McIntyre  had  kindly  undertaken  to  manage  the  bufineGi 
of  difpofing  of  the  Qroolon^;  (he  waa  accordingly  put  up 
to  auftion,  and  fold  for  feven  hundred  Spanijh  dollars. — 
It  having  been  judged  that  the  two  time-pieces  would 
fetch  more  money  at  Canton,  they  were  brought  up  there 
for  fale,  as  were  alfo  the  furgeon’s  inllruments,  they  be- 
ing Intended  as  a prefent  to  Mr.  Sharp;  but  the  car- 
penter’s mate  objefting  to  relinqui(h  his  (liare  in  tliem, 
in  confequence  of  his  tools  having  been  difpofed  of,  Mr. 
Sharp  declined  the  o(Fer ; they  were  therefore  put  up  to 
I fale  at  Canton,  with  the  time-piece,  and  bought  by  Cap- 
tain Wiljon,  who  prefented  them  to  Mr.  Sharp,  as  an  ac- 
knowledgment for  his  attention  to,  aud  care  of,  the 
(hip’s  company,  of  whom  not  a fingle  man  had  died,  or 
< been  unable  to  do  duty  for  any  length  of  time  (ince 
( their  leaving  England.  ,, 

Whilft  at  Canton,  feveral  gentlemen,  who  had  been  at 
Madagafcar,  and  other  places,  where  the  throwing  of 
the  fpear  is  praftifed,  and  who  themfeWs  were  in  fome 
degree  (killed  In  the  art,  having  expreffed  a wi(h  to  fee 
Lee  Boo  perform  this  exercife ; they  aflenibled  at  the 
hall  of  tire  faftory  for  that  purpofe. — Lee  Boo  did  not 
at  firft  point  his  fpear  to  any  particular  obje£i,  but  on- 
ly (hook  and  poifed  it,  as  is  nfually  done  before  the 
weapon  is  thrown  from  the  hand ; this  they  were  alfo 
able  to  do : but  propofing  to  aim  at  fome  particular 
point,  they  fixed  this  point  to  be  a gauze  cage  which 
r hung  up  in  the  hall,  and  had  a bird  painted  in  the  mld- 
£ die  ; Lee  Boo  took  up  his  fpear  w'lth  great  apparent  indif- 
I ference,  and,  levelling  at  the  little  bird,  ftruck  It  through 
the  head,  aftonKhing  all  his  competitors,  who,  at  the 
great  diftance  from  whence  they  flung,  with  much  diffi- 
culty even  hit  the  cage. 


192  ANACCOUNTOF 

• He  was  greatly  pleafed  witli  the  ftone  buildings  and 
fpacious  rooms  in  the  hoafes  at  Canton;  but  the  flat  cicl- 
ings  Rill  continued  to  excite  his  wonder;  he  often  com- 
pared them  with  the  floping,  thatched  roofs  at  Pelcw, 
and  faid,  by  the  time  he  went  back  he  flrould  have  learnt 
how  it  was^donc,  and  would  then  tell  the  people  there  in 
what  manner  they  ought  to  build. — The  benefiting  his 
country  by  whatever  he  faw,  feemcd  to  be  the  point  to 
which  all  his  obfervations  were  direftcd. 

Being  at  the  houfe  of  Mr.  Freeman,  one  of  the  fuper- 
cargoes,  amongR  the  things  brought  in  for  tea,  was  a 
fugar-dilh  of  blue  glafs,  which  much  flruck  Lee  floods 
fascy.  The  joy  with  which  he  viewed  it,  induced  that 
gentleman,  after  tea,  to  carry  him  into  another  room, 
wheie  there  were  two  barrels  of  the  fame  kind  of  blue; 
glafs  (which  held  about  two  quarts  each)  placed  on 
brackets : bis  eye  was  again  caught  by  the  fame  allur- 
ing color,  he  looked  at  them  eagerly,  then  went  away, 
and  returned  to  them  with  new  delight : the  gentleman 
obferving  the  pleafure  they  gave  him,  told  him  he  would 
make  him  a prefcnt  of  them,  and  that  he  fhould  carry 
them  to  Pele’w;  this  threw  him  into  fuch  a tranfport 
of  joy  he  could  hardly  contain  himfclf ; he  declared 
them  to  be  a great  treafure,  and  that  wlien  he  returned, 
his  father,  Abba  Thulle,  fhould  have  them  : he  wiflied 
his  relations  at  Peletv  could  but  fee  them,  as  he  was 
fure  they  would  be  loR  in  aftonifhment. 

As  there  were  fome  of  the  Company’s  Ihips  that  were 
foon  to  fail  for  England,  Captain  IVilfon  declined  two 
advantageous  offers  of  the  command  of  country  fiiips, 
thinking  it  his  duty  to  embrace  the  earlieff  opportunity 
of  acquainting,  in  perfon,  the  India  Company,  with 
the  fate  of  the  Antelope,  aud  the  particular  circumRances 
attending  it. 

It  Rill  remained  for  him  to  lay  before  the  companions 
of  his  adverfe  fortune,  a Ratement  of  the  different  fales, 
and  give  to  every  man  an  equal  fliare  of  what  they  had 
produced  ; which  being  fettled.  Captain  WllJ'on  acquaint- 
ed bis  officers  and  men,  that  they  were  now  at  liberty 
to  provide  for  themfelves  as  opportunity  fliould  offer,  at 


THE  PE  LEW  ISLANDS.  195 

the  fame  time  recommending  to  them  all,  but  particu- 
larly his  officers,  to  return  tfl  England,  where,  he  had 
no  doubt,  but  that  the  Honorable  Company  would  re- 
compenfe,  in  fome  meafure,  every  individual  for  the 
hardfhips  they  had  fuftained ; declaring  that  he  felt 
himfclf  in  the  higheft  degree  obliged  to  them  for  the  good 
order,  the  unanimity,  and  the  excellent  ccnduft  they 
had  fo  cheerfully  perfevercd  in,  during  the  trying/cenes 
they  had  experienced  together,  and  which  had  afforded 
them  an  opportunity  of  teRifying  their  zeal  for  the  ge- 
neral fervice  ; which  it  (hould  be  his  bufmefs  to  reprefeut 
in  fuch  terms  as  their  whole  behaviour  truly  merited. 

Mr.  Sharp,  who,  from  the  time  of  leaving  the  Pelcto 
iflands,  had  taken  Lee  Boo  under  his  immediate  care, 
now  refigned  his  charge  to  Captain  W'tljon,  and  came 
home  in  the  Lafcells,  Captain  JVaieJield;  the  other  offi- 
■ccrs  and  people  engaged  in  different  fliips,  as  vacancies 
offered,  but  mofl.  of  the  men  embarked  in  the  Tori, 
Captain  Blanchard;  nor  did  any  of  them  feparatc  with- 
out fome  emotions  of  concern  in  quitting  thofe  compa- 
nions with  whom  they  had  (hared  fo  many  difficulties. 

Lee  Boo  embarked  with  Captain  lEilfon  in  the  Morfe, 
Captain  Jofeph  Elliot,  who,  in  the  moft  friendly  manner, 
accommodated  them  to  England.  And,  as  we  have  now 
difpofed  of,  and  difperfed  all  thofe  who  formerly  com- 
pofed  the  complement  of  the  Antelope,  I fliall,  for  tlie 
prefent,  leave  their  refpcdled  Commander  purfuing,  with 
our  young  Prince,  his  voyage  to  England. — Being  in- 
clined to  hope  that  the  charafter  and  condudf  of  tliefe 
hitherto  unknown  people,  whom  I have  introduced  in 
the  foregoing  narrative,  have  interefted  the  reader,  I 
fliall  now  give  fome  account  of  the  Government,  Cuf- 
toms.  Manners,  and  Arts,  of  the  Natives  of  Pclcnv,  as 
far  as  I have  been  able  to  colleiS:  them,  from  the  differ- 
ent reports  of  the  Captain,  and  fuch  of  his  officers  who 
have  favored  me  with  their  communications. 


5. 


R 


CHAPTER 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF 


fp4 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


■General  Idea  of  the  Ifands.. — Of  the  King. — Of  the  Gene- 
— Of  the  Chief  Minifter. — Of  the  Rupacks. — Of 
the  Nature  of  Property  at  Pelevv. 

TH  E Palos  or  Pelciu  iflands  are  a chain  of  fmall 
iflands,  fituated  between  the  5th  and  9th  degree 
of  north  latitude,  and  between  130°  and  1360  degrees 
of  eaft  longitude  from  Greennvich,  and  lie  in  a N.  E.  and 
S.  W.  direAion:  they  are  long  but  narrow,  of  a mo- 
derate height,  well  covered  with  wood,  at  leaft  fuch  of 
the  idands  as  our  people  had  an  opportunity  of  feeing. 
They  are  circled  on  the  weft-fide  by  :a  reef  of  coral,  of 
which  no- end  could  be  feen  from  any  eminenc^  they 
were  on ; this  reef  in  fome  places  extends  five  or  fix  lea- 
gues from  the  Ihore,  and  in  no  parts  that  were  vifited, 
lefs  than  two  or  three. 

The  reader  wdll  bear  in  mind  that  the  Antelope  -was 
not  a (hip  particularly  fent  out  to  explore  undifcovered 
regions,  or  prepared  to  inveftigate  the  manners  of  man^ 
kind;  it  had  not  on  board  philofophers,  botanifts, 
draughtfmen,  or  gentlemen  experienced  in  fuch  fcienti- 
fic  purfuits  as  might  enable  them  to  examine  with  judg- 
ment objefts  which  prefented  themfelves,  or  trace  nature 
through  all  her  labyrinths. — Diftrefs  threw  them  on  thefe 
iflands,  and  when  there,  every  thought  was  folely  occupied 
on  the  means  of  getting  away,  and  liberating  themfelves 
from  a fitaation  of  all  others  the  moft  horrible  to  the 
imagination,  that  of  being  cut  off  for  ever  from  tjic  fo- 
ciety  of  the  reft  of  the  world. 

Forlorn  and  melancholy  as  their  lot  at  firft  appeared^ 
the  gloom  it  call  over  them  was  foon  difpelled,  by  find- 
ing themfelves  amongft  an  humane  race  of  men,  who 
v.’ere  fuperior  to  the  wifti  of  taking  any  advantage  of 
their  diltrefs;  who  had  hearts  to  feel  for  what  our  peo- 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  195^ 

pie  fuflered ; benevolence  to  relieve  their  immediate 
wants;  and  generofity  to  co-operate  with  them  in  eveiy 
effort  to  work  out  their  deliverance. — 1 he  Engiyh  pof- 
feffed  what  was  in  their  eftimation  of  the  higheft  value — 
iron  and  arms.  The  Malay  wreck  had,  for  the  firll 
time,  thrown  in  their  way  a few  pieces  of  the  lormcr  ; 
the  life  and  power  of  the  latter  had  only  been  diicover- 
cd  to  them  by  the  ill  fortune  of  our  countrymen. — Thefe 
objefts,  fo  defiiable  to  them,  they  might  unqueftionably 
have  poffeffed  themfelves  of,  the  number  of  our  people, 
capable  of  bearing  arms,  being  only  twenty-feven,  the 
Captain  and  Surgeon  included;  but  their  notions  of 
moral  reffitude  lay  as  a barrier  agalnft  the  intrufion  of 
fuch  a thought; — renouncing  evei7  advantage  of  power, 
they  approached  them  only  with  the  fmiles  of  benevo- 
lence. 

All  the  varied  courtefies  offered  to  the  Enghfi  by  tl  e 
natives,  from  whom  a very  different  line  of  condutl  Iiad 
been  apprehended,  operated  forcibly  on  their  m.inds;. 
and  their  misfortune  happening  at  a moment  when  their 
afliffance  was  very  miaterial  for  Abba  EhuHe’s  lei  vice' 
againft  his  enemies,  this  circumftance  foon  formed  a 
conneftlon,  and  produced  an  unreferved  intercourfe  and 
fteady  friendfliip  between  the  natives  and  our  countrymen,, 
w'hich,  during  the  thirteen  weeks  they  remained  there, 
afforded  them  opportunity  of  obferviiig  the  manners 
and  difpofitions  of  the  inhabitants,  and  thereby  to  form 
fome  notion  of  their  government  and  cuffoms.— If  thev 
■were  not'  enabled  to  trace  the  current  of  power  through 
all  its  various  channels,  their  obiervations  could  purfue 
it  to  the  fountain-head,  from  whence  the  whole  feemed 
to  take  its  rife;  and  it  appeared  beyond  a doubt  that 
the  chief  authority  was  lodged  in  the  perfon  of 

ABBA  THULLE,  THE  KING. 

At  Pclciv  the  King  rvas  the  firll  on  f ■ ■ , 
vernment.  He  appeared  to  be  cor.fidercd  ;u  ■ 
of  his  people;  and,  though  divelled  of  al 
corations/of  royalty,  had  every  mark  of  dittinvti-  l 


19^  an  ACCOUNT  OF  ij! 

to^  his  peifon.  His  Rupacls  or  Cliiefs  approached  hini  ||j 
with  the  greateft  refpeft;  and  his  common  fubjedls, 
whenever  they  pafTed  near  him,  or  liad  occafion  to  ad-  ( 
drefs  him,  put  their  hands  behind  them,  and  crouched 
towards  the  ground; — even  if  they  were  pafiing  any 
houfe  or  place  where  the  King  was  fiippofedto  be,  they 
humiliated  themfelves  in  the  fame  manner,  till  they  ' 

had  got  beyond  his  probable  prefence,  when  they  re-  1 

fumtd  their  ufual  mode  of  walking.  On  all  occaOons 
the  behaviour  of  yllba  ThuUe  appeared  gentle  and  gra- 
cious, yet  always  full  of  dignity ; he  beard  whatever 
his  fubjcifts  had  to  fay  to  him,  and,  by  his  affability  and 
condefeenfion,  never  fufiered  them  to  go  away  dilfatis- 
iied — This  perfonage,  however  great  he  was  held  at 
i’eh'w,  was  not  underflood  by  our  people  to  poffefs  a 
iovereignty  over  all  the  iflands  which  came  within  their 
knowledge. — The  Rupacks  of  Emungs,  Emillegue,  and 
^■h'tingafl,  and  the  Rupack  Maath,  were  independent  in 
their  own  territories. — Yet  Aloa  1 huile  had  feveral  if- 
hi.ids  over  which  he  ruled;  and  all  the  obfervations  that 
foJo^v  arc  folely  confined  to  his  government,  though  it 
is  not  in  probable  that  the  other  Iflands  might  have  much 
i:;  ihti'- 

Upon  all  occarrcncos  of  moment,  he  convened  the 
RupdcLs  and  officers  of  flntc  ; their  councils  were  always 
held  in  the  open  air,  upon  tlie  fijuarc  pavements  which 
have  fo  frequently  been  mentioned  in  the  foregoing  ’ 
narrative,  w'herc  tht-  King  fnfl  flated  the  biifinefs  upon 
which  he  had  alTemblcd  them,  and  fnbmitted  it.  to  their 
eoufidcration ; each  Rupack  piefent  delivered  his  opinion, 
but  without  riling  from  his  feat:  when  the  matter  be- 
fore them  was  fettled,  the  King,  Handing  up,  put  an' 
end  to  the  council. — After  which  they  often  entered 
into  familiar  converfation,  and  fometimes  chatted  toge- 
ther for  an  hour  after  their  bufinefs  was  defpatched. 

When  any  mefl'age  was  brought  to  the  King,  whe-  < 
thcr  in  council  or  clfewhere,  if  it  came  by  one  of  the 
common  people,  it  was  delivered  at  fome  diftance,  in 
a lovv  voice,  to  one  of  the  inferior  Rupachs;  who,  bend-  . 
Ing  in  an  humble  manner,  at  the  King’s  fide,  delivered 

the 


1 


THE  PE  LEW  ISLANDS.  197  , 

tlie  meffage  in  a low  tone  of  voice,  with  his  face  turnctl 
afide. — His  commands  appeared  to  be  abfolutc;  thouglr 
he  aclcd  in  no  important  bufiaefs  without  the  advice  of 
his  Chiefs.  In  council  there  was  a particular  ftone  on 
which  the  King  fat ; the  other  Rupachs  did  not  always  ^ 
take  the  fame  place,  feating  tlicmfelves  fometiines  oa 
his  right  hand  and  fomctiines  on  his  left. 

Every  day  in  the  afternoon  the  King,  whether  he  > 

rvas  at  Pe/ecu,  or  with  the  Engljh  at  Oroohr.g,  went  to  j 

fit  in  public,  for  the  purpofc  of  hearing  any  requeils,  iS 
or  of  adjufting  any  difference  or  difpute  which  might 
have  arifen  among  his  fubjeefs. 

As  thefe  people  had  but  little  property  to  create  dif-  ^ 

fen-fion,  and  no  lawyers  to  foment  animofity,  it  is  pro- 
bable that  the  immutable- boundaries  of  riglit  and  wrong 
were  perfeftly  underflocd,  and  not  often  violated;  when- 
ever they  were,  the  offending  party  received  the  King’s 
cenfure,  which  expofed  them  to  general  fhame;  a fen- 
tence  to  uncorrupted  minds,  far  more  fevere  than  any 
penal  Inftltution. — They  could  not  recur  to  the  dubious 
conftrucflon  of  five  hundred  laws,  vaguely  conceived, 
and  worfe  underffood;  under  tlic  obfcurlty  of  whlcl), 
in  civilized  countries,  the  artful  villain  too  often  takes 
Ihelter,  and  the  injured  fit  down  more  oppreffed. — Hap- 
py for  them,  they  were  ignorant  of  that  cafaiftry  and 
refinement  which  can  argue  vice  into  virtue ! nor  were 
acquainted  with  the  laudanum  of  rhetoric,  whofe  pro- 
perty will  occafionally  benumb  and  lay'  dormant  the 
power  of  common  underftandings! — They  had  no  con- 
ception that  tliere  exifted  polifhed  nations,  where  it  w;:,i 
infinitely  more  expenfive  to  fue  for  juffice  than  to  fub- 
mlt  to  fraud  and  opprclTion  ! — nations  where  men’s  orj'js 
only',  not  men’s  'word:,  were  credited!  and  where  there 
were  found  wretches  who  dared  attack  the  properties 
and  lives  of  their  fellow-citizens,  by  affertions  of  fet'u- 
hood,  whiLI  they  folemnly  and  impioufly  Invoked  tiie 
- God  of  Heaven  to^  atteft.  their  truth! — Born  the  chil- 
dren of  Nature,  and  fecluded  from  the  corruption  of 
• tiie  world,  her  laws  were  their  general  guide. — Their  ' 
wants  were  few,  and  they  faw  nothing  to  cxcita 
R 2 artlpzid 


198  ANACCOUNTOF' 

avtifutcl  ones. — Eevery  one  feemed  to  be  occupied  with 
their  own  humble  purfuits;  and,  as  far  as  our  people, 
in  a flay  of  three  months  with  the  natives,  could  de- 
cide, appeared  to  conduft  themfelves  toward  each  other 
with  great  civility  and  benevolence ; for  they  never  ob- 
ferved  any  wrangling  or  open  paffion. — Even  when  chil- 
dren were  difputing  or  fighting,  they  llrongly  marked 
their  difpleafure,  by  Itifling  with  rebuke  their  little  im- 
petuofities. 


THE  general. 

Tlie  next  in  power  was  the  King’s  brother,  Raa  Kooi^ 
officially  General  of  ail  his  forces. — It  was  his  duty  to 
fummon  the  Rupacls  to  attend  the  King,  on  whatever 
expedition  or  purpole  they  were  called  ; but  though 
Raa  Kooli  afted  as  Commander  in  Chief,  yet  all  tlie  ex- 
ecutive orders  came  fiom  the  King,  whenever  he  attend- 
ed in  perfon,  as  fully  appeared  when  they  went  on  the 
fccond  expedition  to  AilmgalU  where  the  canoes  attend- 
ant on  tlie  King  conveyed  to  the  General  all  the  refolu- 
tions  wliich  he  tliought  advifable  to  adopt. — The  Gene- 
ral, as  the  King’s  next  brother,  was  his  prefumptive 
heir;  the  fucceffion  of  Pekiu  not  going  to  the  King’s 
children,  till  it  had  palled  through  the  King’s  brothers; 
fo  that  after  the  demife  of  Abla  Tbulk,  the  fovereignty 
would  have  defeended  to  Raa  Kocl,  on  his  demife  to 
Arra  Kooh:r,  and,  on  the  death  of  this  lall  brother, 
it  would  liave  reverted  to  the  eldell  fon  of  Abba  ThuUc; 
on  v.  hich  contingency,  Bill  being  the  prefumptive 
heir,  would,  during  the  reign  of  his  laft  furviving  uncle, 
iiave  become  of  courfe  the  hereditary  General ; as  Lee 
Boo  would  when  the  fovereignty  had  fallen  to  his  elder 
brother. 

the  minister. 

The  King  was  always  attended  by  a particular  Chief, 
or  Rupaci,  who  did  not  appear  to  pofiefs  any  hereditary 

office. 


the  PELEW  islands.  199 

office,  but  only  a delegated  authority.-He  was  always  near 
the  King’s  perfon,  and  the  Chief  who  was  firll  confult- 
ed:  but  whether  his  office  was  religious  oi  civil,  or 
both,  our  people  could  not  leai'n  with  any  certainty.— 
He  was  not  confidered  as  a warrior,  nor  ever  bore  arms; 
and  had  only  one  wife,  whereas  the  other  Rupacks  had 
two. — The  Engltfh  w'ere  never  Invited  to  Ids  houfe,  or 
introduced  into  it,  although  they  were  condudled  to  ai* 
molt  all  thofe  of  the  other  Chiefs. 


THE  RUPACKS. 

This  clafs,  though  confiderable  in  number,  could  on- 
ly be  regarded  as  Chiefs,  or,  to  deferibe  them  by  Europe* 
an  notions,  might  be  denominated  the  nobles:  they  were 
not  all  of  the  fame  degree,  as  was  diflinguiffiable  by 
a difference  in  the  Bone  they  w'orc ; fome  were  created 
whilft  our  people  were  there,  after  the  fccond  engage- 
ment at  ArUngall. — Thefe  marks  of  honor  were  confer- 
red folely  by  the  King,  in  the  manner  already  deferibed, 
w’hen  Captain  IViifon  was  inverted  with  the  highejl  Order  of 
the  Bone.  * — 'i  he  principal  Rupacks  generally  attend  the 
King,  and  w'ere  always  ready  at  his  command,  to  accompa- 
ny him  on  any  expedition,  with  a number  of  canoes, 
properly  manned,  and  armed  with  darts  and  fpcars, 
who  W'ere  to  remain  w'ith  him  till  they  had  his  permif- 
fion  to  return  home  with  their  dependants. — I'hougH 
in  this  part  of  their  government  we  trace  an  outline 
of  the  feudal’  fyftem,  yet,  from  the  very  few  opportu- 
nities our  people  could  have  of  invertigating  points  of 
internal  government,  it  appeared  to  them  that  the  titles 
of  Rupacks  were  perfonal  badges  of  rank  and  diftinc- 
tion,  nor  did  they  apprehend  they  w'ere  hereditary 
honors,  unlefs  in  the  reigning  family,  who  muft  of  ne- 
ceffity  be  of  this  clafs;  therefore,  as  to  the  extent 

of 

* Our  penple  never  knew  what  animal  this  was  a bone  of; 
but,  by  ful.mitting  the  infpeiilion  of  it  to  the  bell  authority  in 
this  country,  it  is  fuppofed  to  be  part  of  the  bone  of  a whale,  or 
Ibnie  animal  of  that  I'pccics. 


300 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF 

of  the  power  or  privileges  of  the  Rupach,  I conceive 
it  far  better  to  leave  thefe  matters  to  future  dlfcoveries 
(fhould  any  hereafter  be  made)than  to  obtrude  opinions 
on  a fnbjedi  that  might  turn  out  to  be  fallacious. — Thus 
much  feemed  certain,  that  all  thofe  of  the  firft  order 
were  fummoned  to  yllla  'Thulle's  councils,  paid  him  on 
every  occafion  a villble  obedience,  and  were  themfelves 
much  refpedfed  by  the  reft  of  the  people. 

PROPERTY. 

Confideiing  that  during  the  time  our  people  remain- 
ed on  thefe  Illands,  their  minds  were  principally  engag- 
ed by  their  o^vn  concerns,  it  will  hardly  be  fuppofed  they 
had  much  lelfure  to  inveftigate  a fubjeit  of  this  nature. — 
As  far  as  they  could  obtain  intelligence  on  this  point, 
they  underllood  that  the  natives  only  polTeffed  a pro- 
perty in  their  work  and  labor,  but  no  abfolute  one 
in  the  foil,  of  which  King  appeared  to  be  general  pro- 
prietor.— A man’s  houfe,  furniture,  or  canoe,  was  con- 
fidered  as  his  private  property  ; as  was  alfo  the  land  al- 
lotted him,  as  long  as  he  occupied  and  cultivated  it; 
but  whenever  he  removed  with  his  family  to  another 
place,  the  ground  he  held  reverted  to  the  King,  who 
gave  it  to  whom  he  pleafed,  or  to  thofe  who  folicited  to 
cultivate  it.  Every  family  occupied  fome  land  for  their 
maintenance,  necelfity  impofed  this  labor  on  them  ; and 
the  portion  of  time  which  they  could  fpare  from  provid- 
ing for  their  natural  wants,  palTed  in  the  exercife  of 
fuch  little  arts,  as,  while  they  kept  them  indullrlous 
and  active,  adminiftered  to  their  convenience  and  com- 
fort. 


CHAPTER 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  201 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


Of  the  Produce  of  Pelew,  and  of  the  Way  of  Life  of  the 
Nathjes, 


PRODUCE. 

Every  part  of  the  ifland  called  Coorcoraa,  of 
which  Pehiu  was  the  Capital  (as  far  as  our  peo- 
ple had  opportunities  of  making  oblervations)  feemed 
to  bear  the  marks  of  induftry  and  good  cultivation. — 
All  the  illands  which  our  people  faw  were  well  covered 
with  trees  of  various  kinds  and  fixes,  feme  of  them  be- 
ing very  large,  as  may  eafily  be  conceived  by  their  ca- 
noes made  out  of  trunks,  which,  when  of  the  largell 
dimenlhms,  were  capable  of  carrying  twenty-eight  or 
thirty  men. — They  had  a great  variety  of  timber- trees, 
among  which  was  noticed  the  Ebony,  and  a tree,  that, 
being  pierced  or  wounded  by  a giinblet,  there  ran  from 
it  a thick  white  liquid,  of  the  confiftcnce  of  cream. — 
They  had  alfo  a fpecies  of  the  Manchineel  tree,  in  cut- 
ting down  of  which  our  people  ufed  to  get  bliftered  and 
fwelled ; the  Inhabitants  pointed  out  the  caufe,  faying, 
that  it  was  owing  to  their  being  fprinkled  by  the  fap  of 
this  tree. — This  they  reckoned  among  the  the  unlucky 
trees,  and  advifed  our  people  againft  the  ufe  of  it.— — 
But  the  moft  lingular  tree  noticed  at  Pekiv,  was  one, 
in  fixe  and  in  its  manner  of  branching,  not  unlike  our 
Cherry  Uet,  but  in  its  leaves  refembling  the  Myrtle.  Its 
peculiarity  was,  that  it  had  no  bark,  having  only  an  out- 
ward coat  of  about  the  thicknefs  of  a card,  darker  than 
the  infide,  though  equally  clofe  in  texture;  the  color  of 
the  interior  part  being  nearly  that  of  mahogany,  and 
fo  extremely  hard,  that  few  of  the  tools  which  the  Eng- 
Tfh  liad  could  work  it,  the  wood  breaking  their  edges 

ahnolt 


2C2 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF 
almoft  every  moment ; a circumftance  which,  very  early 
in  the  conftruftion  of  their  veffel,  determined  our  peo-- 

pie  againft  the  ufe  of  it They  had  alfo-the  Cabbage- 

tree;  and  a tree  whofe  fruit  nearly  refembled  an  air 
mond;  * the  Caranibola;  and  the  wild  Bread-fruit,  call- 
ed by  the  natives  Ri’a’mali. — Yamsf  and  cocoa-nuts  be- 
ing the  chief  article  of  fuftenance,  were  attended  to 
with  the  utmoft  care;  the  former  were  of  the  grey 
mottled  kind;  the  latter  were  in  large  plantations,  af- 
fording both  food  and  fliade.— The  beetle-nut  they  had 
in  abundance,  and  made  great  ufe  of  it,  though  only 
when  green;  contrary  to  the  pradtice  of  the  people  of 
India,  who  never  ufe  it  but  when  dry. — ^They  poirefled 
Plantains  and  Bananas,  Seville  oranges  and  lemons; 
neither  of  thefe  were  in  any  confiderable  quantity ; there- 
fore only  produced  on  vifits,  or  occafions  of  more  than 
common  ceremony. — To  thefe  may  be  added,  the  jam- 
boo-apple,  mentioned  in  page  173,  as  brought  when 
Lee  Boo  firft  appeared. — I'his  counti-y  produced  fome 
fugar-cane,  and  great  abundance  of  the  bamboo;  like- 
wife  the  ’Turmeric,  which  the  )iatives  ufed  as  a die, 
and  with  which  the  the  wo.men  ftained  their  dcins. — 
They  have  ochre,  both  red  and  yellow,  with  w'hich  they 
paint  their  houfes  and  canoes. 

None  of  the  iflands  the  Eugli/h  vifited  had  any  kind 
of  grain;  nor  any  quadruped  whatever,  except  fome 
brownilh  grey  rats,  which  ran  wild  in  the  woods,  and 
three  or  four  meagre  cats,  which  rvere  feen  in  fome 
houfes  at  Peleiu,  probably  brought  on  fome  drift  or  part 
of  a canoe  of  other  iilands,  wrecked  on  the  reef. 
This  might  excite  them  to  admire  fo  much  the  two 
dogs  our  people  left  with  them,  which  unluckily  were 
both  males. 

As  to  birds,  they  had  plenty  of  common  cocks  and 
hens,  which,  though  they  were  not  domefticated,  but 
ran  about  the  woods,  yet  loved  to  get  near  their  noufes 
and  plantations;  and,  uhat  will  appear  fmgular  (con- 
lidering  their  little  variety  of  food)  they  had  never 

made 

* ‘Terfftinalla  cats^pa  of  L l N N JE  u s* 

f Arum  efculcntum  of  L i N N JE  u s. 


THE  r E L E W ISLANDS.  203 

made  any  ufe  of  them,  till  our  people  faw  them,  and 
told  the  natives  they  were  excellent  to  eat. — -The  Eng- 
Ij/Ij,  at  the  delire  of  Abba  Thutte,  killed  fome,  and  boil- 
ed them;  the  King  was  the  firft  who  tailed  them  ; he 
thought  them  good,  and  frequently  partook  of  them  af- 
terwards, fo  that  our  people  put  them  in  poflefilon  of 
a.newdiHi;  the  men  appeared  pleafed  at  feeing  them 
killed,  and  would  go  out  on  purpofe  to  drive  them  in 
their  way.  Tliough  the  natives  had  not  till  now  made 
thefe  birds  an  article  of  food,  yet,  when  they  went  in- 
to the  woods,  they  frequently  eat  their  eggs ; but  they 
did  not  admire  them  for  being  newly  laid;  the  luxury 
to  them  was,  when  they  could  fwallovv  an  imperfeft 
chicken  in  the  bargain. — Pigeons  they  had  alfo  in  the 
woods. — At  the  time  of  breeding,  they  took  the  young 
from  the  nefl,  and  brought  them  up  near  their  houfes, 
keeping  them  on  a perch  tied  by  one  leg,  and  feeding 
tliem  on  yams;  this  bird  was  accounted  a great  dainty, 
as  we  have  had  occafion  to  fee,  by  its  being  fo  fparlng- 
ly.ufed,and  none,  but  thofe  of  a certain  dignity, permitted 
to  eat  thereof. — The  poeple  of  Pelew  were  wonderful- 
ly aftlve  and  expert  in  climbing  up  trees  in  quell  of 
thefe  nells,  or  any  thing  elfe  that  was  an  objeft  of  their 
purfuit.  Thefe  which  I have  mentioned,  were  the  only 
birds  they  ufed  to  eat. — Our  people  left  them  two 
geefe,  the  only  remains  of  their  live  flock. 

Several  birds  were  feen  flying  about,  whofe  plumage 
appeared  to  be  extremely  beautiful,  but  they  probably 
might  be  of  the  fame  kinds  as  are  found  in  different 
countries  between  the  tropics. — The  iflands  had  alfo  feve- 
ral  fmall  birds,  whofe  notes  were  very  melodious,  particu- 
larly one  which  ufed  to  flng  e\cery  morning  and  evening, 
and  had  a pipe  fweet  as  a flagelet ; our  people  often 
thought  they  were  under  tlie  very  tree  whence  the 
notes  of  this  little  bird  came,  yet  none  of  them  were 
ever  certain  they  had  feen  it. 

They  had  a variety  of  filh,  befide  the  fort  I have 
already  deferibed  (page  83)  and  feveral  fmaller  kinds, 
of  very  beautiful  colors  and  a vaiiety  of  fliapes,  particu- 
larly one  to  which  the  Englijh  gave  the  name  of  the 

Unicorn) 


20-}.  ANACCOUNTOF 

Unicorn,  from  a horn  growing  out  of  its  forehead;  its 
Cdn  was  rough,  like  a fmall  thark  or  dog-jijh,  which  it' 
alfo  refembled  i»  Ihape  and  color.  They  had  the  grey 
mullet,  which  they  crimped,  and  frequently  eat  raw. 
They  kill  the  fhark,  when  they  chance  to  come  within 
the  coral  reef ; this  they  do  by  fpearing  them,  and  after- 
wards getting  ropes  round  them,  then  dragging  them 
onfliore;  the  flelh  of  the  fliark  was  efteemed  by  them 
as  very  delicate.  They  had  alfo  feveral  kinds  of  fhell-fifh  ; 
fuch  as  the  fea  cray-fifllf  of  the  fame  fort  as  in  the 
Mediterranean  and  o\X\tr  European  coafts:— and  turtle, 
which  the  natives  boiled,  and  feemed  to  admire.  They 
had  befide  oyfters,  mufeles,  and  a variety  of  cockles, 
particularly  the  Kima  cockle  ; * this  they  frequently  got 
by  diving,  at  which  the  natives  were  amazingly  ex- 
pert ; they  would  fometimes  dive  down  in  fix  or  feven 
fathom  water,  and  if  the  fhell  was  very  large,  two  of 
them  would  contrive  to  bring  It  up  between  them.  This 
fifh  they  commonly  eat  raw. 

The  ifiands  of  Pelew,  when  viewed  from  the  fea, 
exhibited  high,  rugged  land,  well  covered  with  wood. 
The  mterior  part  was  Jn  many  places  mountainous,  but 
the  vallies  were  extenfive  and  beahtlful,  fpreading  before 
the  eye  many  delicious  profpefts.  The  foil  was  in  gene- 
ral rich ; they  had  a great  deal  of  grafs,  which,  having  no 
cattle  w'hatever  to  eat  down,  grew  high,  and  was  fcorch- 
ed  and  burnt  up  by  the  heat  of  the  fun.  Our  people 
faw  no  river  at  Pelew;  their  fuppHes  of  frefh  w’ater  be- 
ing from  fmall  ftreams  and  ponds,  of  which  there  were 
many.  TJie  chief  fource  at  Oroolong,  was  the  well  at 
the  back  of  the  ifland,  which  afforded  the  Englijh  -fuf- 
ficient  for  their  ufe  whilft  they  remained  there,  and 
enough  to  water  their  veffel  for  their  voyage,  by  colleft- 
ing  it  daily  in  cafks  till  they  had  obtained  as  much  as 
they  Hood  in  need  of. 

OF 

• Cbemo  Cigas  of  L I N N i v s. 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  205 


OF  THEIR  WAY  OF  LIVING. 


From  the  above  account  of  the  fcanty  produce  of 
thefe  iflands,  it  muft  be  evident  that  no  luxury  reigned 
in  them.  To  their  ufual  mode  of  living,  on  particular 
occafions  they  added  fome  fweetmeats,  which  they 
obtained  by  the  aid  of  a fyrup  extradled  either  from 
the  palm-tree,  or  the  fiigar-cane  (which  grows  fpon- 
taneous)  and  with  which  alfo  the/  made  their  fweet 
drink.  Their  fweetmeats  were  of  three  forts; — 
the  firft,  and  the  one  that  was  moft  plentiful,  was 
made  of  the  kernels  of  old  cocoa-nuts,  feraped  into 
a coarfe  kind  of  flour,  then  mixed  with  the  fyrup, 
and  fimmered  over  a flow  fire  till  it  became  of  a proper 
confiflence,  and  whilft  warm  was  put  up  In  leaves;  it 
acquired  fuch  hardnefs  by  keeping,  that  a knife  would 
hardly  cut  it ; the  natives  called  it  Woolell,  and  was  the 
fame  our  fallors  denominated  Choke-Dog. — The  fecond 
fort  was  ir-ade  of  the  fruit  already  mentioned  as  refembling 
the  almond,  not  bruifed,  but  whole,  boiled  in  the  fame 
manner,  and  put  in  leaves. — The  third  was  a wet  fweet- 
meat,  clear  and  tranfparcnt;  this  v-is  uncommon,  but 
was  made  at  Captain  coming  away,  and  prefent- 

ed  to  him  in  the  fame  large  tureen  of  wood  which  was 
brought  out  on  his  firft  vifit  to  the  King,  yibha  Tlmlk^ 
when  he  prefented  it,  faid,  that  he  gave  him  the  tureen,* 
but  that  his  wives  had  prepared  the  fweetmeat  on  pur- 
pofe  for  him.  _On  the  Captain’s  noticing  that  it  appear- 
ed different  from  any  of  the  forts  he  had  feen  before, 
and  wlfhing  to  know  of  what  ft  was  made,  Raa  Kook 
defpatched  a man,  who  in  an  hour  returned  with  two 
frefh-gathered  plants;  from  the  root  of  them  this  fvveet- 
meat  was  made,  which  in  flrape,  fize,  and  color,  re- 
fembled  a common  turnip  ; f its  leaves  were  tliree  feet 
S and 


* Our  people  could  never  learn  the  name  by  which  tlie  natives 
called  this  veficl,  of  which  ow  was  feen,  a 1 therefore  have 
termed  it  a tureen,  as  refemhlmg  it  in  form. 

f It  was  probably  the  ‘facca  Jiuiiu:tijitla  of  L i Si  n u s. 


2o6 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF 
and  upwards  in  length,  but  narrow  and  green  ; Cap- 
tain JVilfon  was  going  to  tafte  a bit  of  the  root  raw, 
but  they  would  not  fuffer  him,  fignifyingthat  it  was  not 
^ood,  by  fpitting,  as  if  they  had  fomething  unplcafant 
in  their  mouth.  This  fweet-meat  did  not  keep  fo  well 
U3  the  other  two  forts,  growing  foon  four. — '1  hey  had 
alfo  a method  of  feraping  the  kernel  of  the  cocoa-nut 
into  a pulp,  which  when  mi.xed  with  fame  of  their  fweet 
drink,  and  the  juice  cf  the  four  orange,  had  the  appear- 
ance of  curds  and  whey. 

Their  mode  of  preferving  fi(h,  when  there  was  plenty, 
fo  that  it  wmuld  keep  a day  or  two,  has  been  fully  ex- 
plained in  page  128.  Some  of  the  other  forts  of  fi/h 
they  boiled  in  falt-water,  and  eat  without  any  kind  of 
fauce;  they  alfo  boiled  the  fea  cray-fifh  ; but  the  fmaller 
fort  of  firell-filh,  and  the  Kima  Cockle,  they  ufually  eat 
raw,  fqueezing  only  a little  orange  or  lemon-juice  over 
it  and  the  grey  itmllet  (though  they  fometimes  boiled 
it)  y^et  was  more  commonly  eaten  raw:  as  foon  as 
caught  they  cleaned  and  crimped  it,  then  laid  it  about 
an  hour  in  the  fun  to  harden,  by  which  time  it  was  ful- 
ly dreft  to  their  tafte. 

They  had  no  fait,  nor  did  they  make  ufe  of  fauce  or 
feafoning  in  any  thing  they  eat.  Their  drink  was  as 
fimple  as  their  diet : at  their  meals,  the  milk  of  the 
cocoa-nut  was  their  ufual  beverage ; they  very  feldom 
drank  water,  and  indeed  fo  very  little  of  any  thing,  that 
it  was  a matter  of  furprife  to  our  people,  who  Conftantly 
obferved  it ; yet  on  vifits,  or  occafional  rejoicings,  they 
appeared  to  relifh  their  fweet  drink,  and  ftierbet,  which, 
latter  had  only  the  addition  of  fome  juice  of  orange. 

They  rofe  in  general  at  day-light,  and  as  foon  as 
they  were  up,  both  men  and  women  went  to  bathe  in 
freih  water : they  had  feparate  bathing-places ; and  every 
man  whofe  bufmefs  led  him  near  thofe  appropriated  to 
the  women,  was-pbliged  to  make  fome  particular  halloo, 
which,  if  anfwered  by  a female  -voice,  he  could  not  go 
on,  but  either  turned  another  way,  or  waited  till  the 
women  who  were  bathing  had  left  the  water. 


About 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  207 

About  eight  o’clock  was  their  hour  of  breakfafting  j 
after  which,  if  there  was  any  council  to  be  held,  the 
King  met  his  Chiefs,  and  the  common  people  went  to 
their  different  occupations ; at  noon  thef  dined ; and 
flipped  foon  after  funfet,  ufually  retiring  to  reft  two 
hours  after.  Though  this  W'us  their  common  way  of 
living,  yet  on  occafions  of  public  rejoicing  or  feftivity, 
they  would  dance  the  greateft  part  of  the  night. 

They  had  no  method,  that  vras  obferved,  of  meafur- 
fng  time  but  by  the  height  of  the  fun. — Their  feafons 
were  divided  into  the  wet  and  diy,  as  in  other  tropical 
countries.  They  had  fome  knowledge  of  the  ftars,  hav- 
ing names  for  feveral  of  them,  which  they  pointed  out 
to  our  people. 

Every  part  of  the  Pekw  iflands,  that  the  Engli/h  vi- 
ftted,  appeared  populous,  though  to  what  extent  of  po- 
pulation they  could  never  afeertain  ; but  probable  con- 
jefture  might  be  formed,  from  j^bba  Thulle  and  his  al- 
lies having  fent  out,  in  the  laft  expedition  againft  Ptl:~ 
IriUf  near  four  thoufand  men ; nor  had  our  people  rea- 
fon  to  fuppofe  but  that  there  were  many  more  left  be- 
hind equally  lit  for  fervice  : even  had  tlie  occafion  re- 
quired it,  perhaps  their  number  of  canoes  might  not 
have  been  adequate  to  carry  to  battle  near  their  full 
ftreixgth. 


C H A P T E P- 


I-  >.  . 


2t>8  • 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


OJ  their  Houfes. — "Their  dcmefuc  Implements, — "Their  Wea- 
pons of  War, — Their  Canoes. 

THEIR  HOUSES. 

THEIPv  houfes  were  raifed  about  three  feet  from 
the  ground,  placed  on  large  ftones,  which  appear- 
ed as  if  cut  from  the  quarry,  being  thick  and  oblong ; 
on  thefe  pedellals  the  foundation  beams  were  laid,  from 
whence  fprang  the  upright  fupports  of  their  fides,  which 
w'ere  croffed  by  other  timbers  grooved  together,  and 
faftened  by  wooden  pins ; the  intermediate  fpaces  clofe- 
ly  hlled  up  with  bamboos  and  palm-leaves,  which  they 
platted  fo  clofely  and  artificially  as  to  keep  their  habita- 
tions warm,  and  exclude  all  wet  ; and  their  being  raifed 
from  the  ground  prefen-ed  them  from  any  humidity. 
The  floors  were  in  general  made  of  very  thick  plank,  a 
fpace  of  an  inch  or  two  being  left  between  many  of 
them.  But  in  fame  of  the  houfes  they  were  compofed 
of  large  bamboos  fplit,  which  being  pei"petually  trodden 
over,  render  them  very  flippery, — The  interior  part  of 
the  houfe  w’as  without  any  divifion,  the  whole  forming 
one  great  room. — In  general,  the  fire-place  flood  about 
- the  middle  of  it,  funk  lower  than  the  floor,  with  no  tim- 
ber below  it,  the  whole  fpace  being  filled  up  with  hard 
rubbifli.  Their  fires  were  in  common  but  fmall,  being 
molUy  ufed  to  boil  their  yams,  and  to  keep  up  a little 
fame  at  night  to  clear  away  the  dews,  and  fmoke  the  ' 
nofquitoes. — Their  windows  came  to  the  level  of  the 
floor,  and  ferved  both  for  doors  and  windows,  having 
ftepping-flones  at  all  of  them  to  enter  by  ; to  prevent 
any  inconvenience  from  wind  or  rain,  which  fo  many 
apertures  might  occafion,  each  of  them  had  a bamboo 

frame 


rrJr 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  209 

^rame  or  fhutter,  interwoven  as  the  fides  of  the  houfcs 
were,  which,  Aiding  on  bamboo  rods,  were  eafily  flipt 
on  one  fide  when  any  body  wanted  to  go  in  or  out. — Or 
the  top  of  the  upright  fides,  beams  wers  laid  acrof 
from  whence  fprang  the  roof,  which  was  pointed  like 
our  barns,  the  whole  infide  being  clear  ; this  made  their 
houfes  within  very  lofty  and  air)"';  the  outfide  of  the 
roof  was  thatched  very  thick  and  clofe  with  bamboos  or 
palm-leaves. — This  was  the  general  form  of  their  houfes ; 
fome  of  which  were  from  fixty  to  eighty  feet  in  length, 
but  thefe  were  appropriated  to  public  ufes,  fuch  as  meet- 
ings of  bufinefs,  or  feftivity  ; at  other  times  they  ferved 
the  natives  to  afiemble  and  chat  together,  when  the  wo- 
men ufually  brought  their  work,  and  joined  in  the  con- 
verfatlon.  Thofe  which  were  more  properly  domeftic 
habitations,  were  the  fame  both  in  Aiape  and  texture, 
though  lefs  in  dlmenfion. — It  was  remarked,  that  the 
family  kept  on  one  fide  of  the  central  fii-e-place,  and  the 
fervants  on  the  other. 


OF  THEIR  DOMESTIC  IMPLEMENTS. 

In  a country^  where  no  aid  could  be  obtained  from 
the  alCftance  of  iron  tools,  and  where  every  thing  which 
was  convenient  and  ufeful  could  only  be  produced  by 
much  time,  labor,  and  patience,  and  at  lafi  faOiioned  by 
fuch  poor  means  as  neceffity,  ftimulating  invention,  by 
Aow  degrees  brought  about,  it  will  not  be  expelled  that 
their  domeftic  implements  would  be  numerous. 

Among  the  .things  moft  eflentlal  to  their  idea  of  com- 
fort, were  little  balkets,  which  they  always  carried  about, 
with  them  ; they  had  different  forts,  fome  of  them  were 
of  very  nice  texture,  woven  from  Alps  of  the  plantain 
leaf.  In  thefe  they  ufually  carried  their  beetle-nut, 
their  comb,  and  their  knife ; nor  did  they  omit  having 
a little  twine  in  it,  to  tie  up  any  thing  they  might 
want  to  keep  together.  They  had  alfo  wooden  bafttets 
with  covers,  very  nicely  carved,  and  inlaid  with  Aiells.- 
S 2 Thefe 

ilL. 


210  an’account  of 

Tlicfe  they  hung  up  In  their  houfes,  for  ufe  and  decora- 
tion. 

Their  heft  knives  were  formed  of  a .piece  of  the 
hirge  mother  of  pearl  oyller-fliell,  ground  narrow,  and 
the  outward  fide  a little  polilhcd. — The  fort  more  com- 
mon was  made  of  a piece  of  fome  mufcle-flrell,  or  of  a 
fplit  bamboo,  which  they  lliarpen  to  an  edge,  and  ren- 
der exceedingly  ferviceable. 

Their  combs  were  formed  of  the  orange  tree  ; the  han- 
dle and  teeth  fafnioned  from  the  folid  wood,  and  not  in  fe- 
parate  pieces  clofely  connefted  togetherlikethofe  brought 
from  u'.oft  of  the  latc-dircovercd  iflanps. 

No  man  fUrred  abroad  without  his  baflcct  of  bectlc- 
nut. — The  common  order  of  people  had  a fhort  piece  of 
bamboo,  in  which  they  carried  the  powdered  chinam, 
to  ftrew  over  the  bcctle-nut  before  they  put  it  in  their 
mouths.  The  RuJ>iicis  or  great  people  had  their  chinam 
in  a long  flender  bamboo,  nicely  polifhed,  and  inlaid 
w'ith  pieces  of  (hells  at  each  end  ; and  thefe  were  often 
iiot  inelegantly  fancied. 

Their  filhing-hooks  w-ere  of  tortoife-fhell.  Their 
twine.o,  their  cords,  and  all  their  fifhlng-nets,  were  well 
manufadlured,  and  made  from  the  hulks  of  the  cocoa- 
nut.  The  mats  on  wln’ch  they  flept,  and  threw  over 
them  w'hen  at  reft,  were  formed  of  the  plantain-leaf. 

At  their  meals  they  generally  ufed  a plantain-leaf  In- 
ft ead  of  a plate ; the  ftiell  of  the  cocoa-nut  ferving  as  a 
tup  to  drink  out  of,  which  they  fometimes  polifticd  very' 
nicely.  They  made  alfo  velTcIs  of  a kind  of  earthen- 
ware, of  a rcddifii  blown  color,  and  moftly  of  an  oval 
fiape.  In  thefe  they  heated  their  water,  and  boiled  their 
bf!i,  yams,  &c. — Our  people  obferved  the  natives  were 
i articularly  careful ,of  this  pottery,  never  permitting  any 
of  it  to  approach  the  fire  unlefs  gradually,  and  always 
moving  it  with  great  caution  ; from  which  circum- 
ftances  It  is  probable  they  have  not  yet  been  able  to 
difeover  a method  of  burning  it  fufficiently. 

A bundle  of  eocoa-nut  hulks,  tied  together,  formed 
a bloom,  to  dud  or  fweep  their  habitations. — The  only 
c;)uvcr,ivncy  they  had  of  keeping  water  in  their  honfes, 

or 


ZIl 


T HE  PELEW  ISLANDS. 

or  bringing  it  from  their  fprings,  was  in  thick  bam- 
boos, that  had  a bore  of  five  or  fix  inches  diameter ; 
thefe  they  placed  upright,  and  ftooped  them  when  they 
wanted  to  pour  any  out,  being  at  the  upper  end  lipped 
fo  as  to  form  a kind  of  fpout. 

Their  hatchets  were  not  unlike  thofe  of  the  South  Sea 
iflands,  of  which  fo  many  have  been  feen  in  England ; 
the  blade  part  being  made  of  the  llrongeft  part  of  the 
large  Kima  Cockle,  ground  to  a fliarp  edge. — But  they 
were  happy  to  adopt  iron,  when  it  had  been  given  to 
them. 

They  had  alfo  another  kind  of  hatchet,  which  was 
formed  In  a manner  to  move  round  in  a groove,  that  the 
edge  might  a6t  longitudinally  or  tranfverfely,  by  which 
It  would  ferve  as  a hatchet  or  an  adze,  as  occafion  re- 
quired.— Uncouth  as  their  hatchets  might  appear  to  our 
people,  it  was  a matter  of  furprife,  to  obfeiwe  in  how 
little  a time  the  natives  were  able  to  fell  a tree  with 
them,  though  not  without  breaking  feveral. 

The  things  which  I have  above  meniioned  were  fuch 
as  their  natural  wants  required ; when  thefe  had  been 
provided  againft,  ingenuity  thereto  fuperadded_  a few  ar- 
ticles, which  might  in  thefe  iflands  be  deemed  luxuries. 
The  flicU  of  the  tortoife  was  there  remarkably  beautiful, 
and  the  natives  of  Pelew  had  difeovered  the  art  of 
moulding  it  into  little  trays  or  dilhes,  and  Into  fpoons, 
with  which,  on  particular  occafions,  they  eat  their  fifh 
and  yams. — Some  of  the  great  ladies  had  alfo  bracelets 
of  the  fame  manufafture,  and  ear-rings  Inlaid  with 
fhells. 

How  they  conceived  this  art  of  working  the  tortoife- 
fliell,  or  the  idea  of  improving  on  a natural  advantage, 
or  what  procefs  they  made  ufe  of  to  efiFeft  it,  our  peo- 
ple had  no  opportunity  of  difcoveiiig. 

On  days  of  public  feftivity,  there  was  ufually  brought 
out  the  veflel  mentioned  in  page  68,  and  there  defer ibed 
as  repre^ittj^ng  a bird,  the  top  of  which  lifted  off,  form- 
ing its  back.  It  contained  about  thirty-fix  Englt/b 
quails ; and  was  filled  with  fweet  drink  for  the  King 
?,;id  liis  Ru^acks.  This  was  /ibha  Tbulk's  property  ; and 

whea 


«i2  AN  ACCOUNT  OF 

when  one  confiders  it  as  the  work  of  fo  much  time  and 
patience  (and  the  more  eftimable,  as  being  the  only  vcf- 
fel  of  the  kind  in  their  country)  the  King’s  giving  it 
to  Captain  W'llfon  at  his  departure,  as  already  mentioned, 
was  an  additional  proof  of  the  liberality  of  thele  people, 
who  were  ready  to  diveft  themfelves  even  of  what  they 
moll  valued,  to  give  to  their  friends. 

THEIR  WEAPONS  OF  WAR. 

The  principal  weapons  ufed  in  their  battles,  were 
fpears  ; they  were  commonly  about  twelve  feet  long, 
formed  of  the  bamboo,  with  the  pointed  end  made  of 
fome  wood  exceedingly  hard  ; they  were  barbed  tranf- 
verfely,  fo  that,  having  once  entered  the  body,  it  was 
difficult  to  draw  them  out  without  lacerating  the  fleffi, 
and  widening  to  a great  degree  the  wound. 

Another  war-weapon  was  the  dait  and  fling. — The 
fling  was  a piece  of  wood  about  two  feet  in  length, 
with  a notch  made  in  it,  wherein  the  head  of  the  dart 
was  fixed., — ^The  dart  was  of  bamboo,  pointed  with  an 
extreme  hard  and  heavy  kind  of  wood,  like  the  fpear, 
which  they  comprefled  with  their  hand,  till  the  elafticity 
of  the  bamboo  had  formed  fuch  a curve  as  experience 
told  them  would  reach  the  objeft  aimed  at ; then  let- 
ting it  flip  from  the  notch,  it  flew  forth,  and  fell  by  its 
gravitation  with  the  point  downward,  fo  as  to  effeft  the 
purpofe  of  being  deftruftive  if  it  fell  upon  the  enemy. — 
It  is  hardly  to  be  conceived  wdth  what  addrefs  they  di- 
refted  this  weapon,  or  the  diftance  at  which  it  would 
prove  mortal.  Their  fpears  w^ere  only  calculated  for  a 
certain  diftance,  not  being  in  general  miffible  beyond  fif- 
ty or  fixty  feet. — They  had  other  fpears  about  eighteen 
feet  long,  which  were  only  ufed  when  they  came  to 
clofe  quarters  with  the  enemy. 

When  they  went  to  battle,  fome  of  the  car- 

ried in  their  canoes  a kind  of  fword,  made  oPreiy  hard 
wood,  and  inlaid  with  parts  of  fhells ; this  they  only 

made 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  213 
made  ufe  of  in  perfonal  engagement ; they  were  of  fuffi- 
cient  weight  to  cleave  a man’s  fkull. 

Our  people  faw  a very  few  daggers,  made  of  the 
fting  of  the  Ray-jijb,  which  is  jagged  all  upwards  from 
the  point ; they  Iheathed  them  in  a bamboo,  their 
handles  were  of  wood,  formed  into  fome  grotefque  fliape; 
the  whole  length  of  the  weapon  not  exceeding  thirteen 
inches. 


THEIR  CANOES. 

As  their  battles  were  generally  fought  in  canoes,  thefe 
may  with  propriety  follow  the  account  of  their  warhke 
implements. 

They  were,  like  moft  other  canoes,  made  from  the 
trunk  of  a tree  dubbed  out ; but  our  people,  who  had 
often  feen  veffels  of  this  fort  in  many  other  countries, 
thought  thofe  of  Pelenj  furpaffed  in  neatnefs  and  beau- 
ty any  they  had  ever  met  with  elfewhere  ; the  tree  out 
of  which  they  were  formed,  grew  to  a very  confiderable 
height,  and  refcmbled  much  the  Engii/h  Afh. — They 
were  painted  red,  both  within  and  without,*  and  inlaid 
with  (hells  in  different  forms. — When  they  went  out  in 
ftate,  the  heads  and  ftems  were  adorned  with  a variety 
of  fliells  ftrung  on  a cord,  and  hung  in  feftoons. — The 
fmalleft  veffel  that  they  built,  could  hold  four  or  five 
people,  the  larged;  were  able  to  contain  from  twenty- 
five  to  thirty. — They  carried  an  outrigger,  ’but  only  on 
one  fide  ; and  ufed  latine  fails  made  of  matting.  —As 
they  were  not  calculated  to  refid  a very  rough  fea,  they 
rarely  went  without  the  coral  reef,  and  feldom  within 

• As  their  mode  of  applying  their  paint  was  uncommon,  it  may 
merit  being  particularly  deferibed ; — The  colors  are  crumbled  with 
the  hand  mm  water,  whilft  it  is  warming  over  a gentle  fire  in 
earthen  p^pfchey  carefully  (kim  from  the  furfacc,  whatever  dry 
leaves  or  dirt  may  float  on  the  top;  when  they  find  it  fufficiently 
thick,  they  apply  it  warm,  and  let  it  dry  upon  the  wood : ■ the  next 
■ day  they  rub  it  well  over  with  cocoa-nut  od;  and  with  the  dry 
hufk  of  the  cocoa-nut,  give  it,  by  repeated  rubbing,  a polifli  and 
(lability  that  the  waves  cannot  walh  qAT. 


214  AN  ACCOUNT  OF 

it,  had  they  any  violent  fea  to  encounter ; whenever  it 
blew  hard  the  natives  always  kept  clofe  under  fiiore. — 
In  vifits  of  ceremony,  when  the  King  or  the  great  Ru~ 
packs  approached  the  place  where  they  intended  to  land, 
the  rowers  fiourifhed  their  paddles  with  wonderful  ad- 
drefs,  and  the  canoes  advanced  with  a {lately  movement; 
at  other  times  they  got  on  with  an  amazing  velocity. — 
When  they  went  againft  yirtingall,  the  little  canoes, 
which  oui  people  termed  frigates,  as  carrying  orders 
from  the  King  to  his  officers,  flew  about  like  arrows, 
and  fcarcely  feemed  to  touch  the  water. — In  the  grand 
expedition  to  Pehhiv,  where  a fleet  of  upwards  of  three 
hundred  canoes,  of  different  fizes,  w'ere  colledted  toge- 
ther, they  formed  a moil  beautiful  and  fplendid  appear- 
ance. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


Of  the  People  and  their  Cufionis. — Of  their  Marriages.—^ 
Of  their  Funerals. — Of  their  Religion.— General  Charac- 
ter of  the  Natives. 

The  natives  of  thefe  Iflands  are  a flout,  welbmadc 
people,  rather  above  the  middle  flature ; their 
complexions  are  of  a far  deeper  color  than  what  is  un- 
derflood by  the  Indian  copper,  but  not  black. — Their 
hair  is  long  and  flowing,  rather  difpofed  to  curl,  which 
they  moflly  form  into  one  large,  loofe  curl  round  their 
heads ; fome  of  the  women,  who  have  remarkably  long 
hair,  let  it  fall  loofe  down  their  backs. — It  has  already 
been  obfeiwed,  that  the  men  were  entirely  naked  ; the 
women  wore  only  two  little  aprons,  or  rather  thick 
fringes,  one  before  and  one  behind,  aboutj|J§  inches 
deep  and  feven  wide ; thefe  were  made  of  in^iuflcs  of 
the  cocoa-nut  flripped  into  narrow  flips,  which  they  dy- 
ed with  different  fhadcs  of  yellow : this,  their  only  drefs 
tliey  tied  round  their  waifts,  commonly  with  a piece  o 

liiif 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  215 

Jine,  though  fuch  as  were  of  higher  rank  ufed  aftring  of 
fome  kind  of  beads ; one  of  a coarfe  fort  of  cornelian, 
worn  by  Erre  Befs^  who  underftanding  that  Captain 
IVilfon  had  a daughter,  gave  5t  to  Mr.  H,  IVilfon,  be« 
fore  his  departure,  as  a prefent  for  his  filler. 

Both  men  and  women  were  tatooed,  or,  as  they  call 
it,  melgothed;  this  operation  took  place,  as  our  people 
conceived,  at  a certain  period  of  youth,  they  having 
never  feen  any  children  of  either  fex  marked  by  it. — 
The  men  had  their  left  ear  bored,  and  the  women  both-; 
a few  of  the  firll  wore  beads  in  the  perforated  ear, 
the  latter  put  either  fome  leaf  through,  or  an  ear-ring 
of  tortolfe-lhell  inlaid.  The  cartilage  between  the  nof- 
trils  was  alfo  bored  in  both  fexes,  through  which  they 
frequently  put  a little  fprig  or  blolTom  of  fome  plant  or 
ihrub  that  accidentally  caught  their  fancy.* 

When  the  men  and  women  grevv  up,  their  teeth  were 
blacked  : this  was  done  by  the  means  of  fome  dye;  our 
people,  whilft  they  remained  at  Pelew,  had  no  oppor- 
tunity of  feeing  how  the  elfedl  was  produced,  under- 
llanding  only  it  was  an  operation  that  was  both  tedious 
and  painful ; but  it  was  afterwards  fully  explained  by 
Lee  Boo  to  Captain  IVilfon,  on  his  paflage  to  England.-^ 
At  Saint  Helena,  Lee  Boo  appeared  much  delighted  at 
finding  fome  groundfel,  and  chewing  it,  rubbed  his 
teeth  with  it. — Captain  Wilfon  telling  him  it  was  not 
good  to  eat,  he  gave  him  to  underftand  that  they  had  it 
at  Pelenv,  and  ufed  it  with  four  other  herbs,  bruifed  to- 
gether and  mixed  with  a little  chinam  into  a pafte, 
which  was  applied  to  the  teeth  every  morning,  in  or- 
der to  dye  them  black ; the  patients  lying  with  their 
heads  upon  the  floor,  and  letting  the  faliva  run  out  of 
their  mouths. — At  night,  he  faid,  the  pafle  was  taken 
away,  and  they  were  perm.itted  to  eat  a little. — The 

fame 

* Perhaps  it  is  o-wing  to  the  defire  of  having  the  feent  of  flow- 
■ers,  without  the  inconvenience  of  holding  them,  that  the  Eafera 
people  bore  the  cartilage  between  the  noftrils.  The  common  peo- 
ple in  Italy  alfo  wear  fweet-fmelling  flowers  ftuck  behind  the  ear, 
in  fuch  a manner  as  to  fall  on  the  face,  that  they  may  enjoy  their 
fragrance  when  working  or  walking. 


2i6  ANACCOUNTOF 

fame  procefs  was  repeated  the  day  following,  and  five 
days  were  neceffary  to  complete  the  operation. — Lee  Boo 
deicribed  it  as  a thing  which  gave  them  a great  deal  of 
trouble,  and  made  them  extremely  fick. 

Both  fexes  were  very  expert  at  fwimming,  and  ap- 
peared to  be  as  perfeftly  at  eafe  in  the  water  as  on  land. 
— The  men  were  admirable  divers  ; if  they  faw  any 
thing  at  the  bottom  of  the  fea  which  attracted  their 
notice,  they  would  jump  overboard  inflantly  and  bring  it 
. up- 


THEIR  MARRIAGES. 

Thefe  were  probably  no  more  than  a civil  contraft, 
but  at  the  fame  time  that  kind  of  contraft  which  was 
regarded  as  inviolable. — They  allowed  a plurality  of 
wives,  but  in  general  had  not  more  than  two  ; Raa 
Aboi  had  three  ; the  King  five,  though  not  living  toge- 
ther.— ^They  did  not  appear  to  be  in  any  degree  jealous 
of  them,  permitting  them  to  partake  of  all  their  diver- 
fions. 

When  a woman  was  pregnantj  although  fhe  accompa- 
nied her  hulband,  yet  flie  never  flept  with  him,  but  al- 
ways feparated  at  night;  and  this  was  uniformly  prac- 
tifed  by  all  the  fex,  even  among  the  loweft  clafs  of  the 
inhabitants  ; and  it  was  remarked,  that  during  that  pe- 
riod the  utmoft  attention  was  obferved  to  women  in  that 
fituation. — When  any  Chief  appeared  with  his  two 
wives,  they  ufually  fat  on  either  fide  of  the  hufband, 
and  the  people  feemed  to  pay  them  no  other  attention, 
but  what  is  ufual  in  an  intercouife  of  the  fexes,  where 
the  greateft  good  manners  prevail. — One  of  our  people, 
endeavouring  to  make  himfelf  agreeable  to  a lady  be- 
longing to  one  of  the  Rupacks,  by  what  we  Ihould  term 
a marked  afiiduity,  Jrra  Kooker,  with  the  greateft  civili- 
ty, gave  him  to  underftand  it  was  not  right  to  do  fo. 

They  name  the  children  very  foon  after  they  are  born  ; 
this  is  moft  probably  done  without  any  ceremony — One 

of 


THE  PELEW  rSLANDS.  217 

of  Abha  Thulle's  wives  lay'in  of  a fon,  at  Pelenu,  during 
the  time  our  people  were  at  Oroolong;  the  King,  out  of 
liis  regard  for  Captain  IVllfon^  named  the  little  boy  Cap- 
tain, and  afterwards  informed  Captain  Wilfon  of  tlie  cir- 
cumftance. 


THEIR  FUNERALS. 

In  the  foregoing  narrative  an  account  hath  been  given 
of  the  ceremony  obferved  by  Mr.  Sharp,  at  the  interment 
of  Raa  Kook's  fon,  in  the  ifland  of  PethouU.  Mr.  M. 
Wilfon,  at  that  time  at  Pelew,  was  prefent  at  another 
funeral,  of  a young  man  who  had  died  of  the  wounds 
he  had  received  in  the  fame  battle  in  which  the  King’s 
nephew  had  loft  his  life. — The  account  he  gave  me  of  it 
was  as  follows : — That  accidentally  noticing  a number 
of  the  natives  going  towards  a fmall  village,  about  two 
miles  from  the  capital,  and  hearing  that  the  King  was 
gone  thither,  curiofity  induced  him  to  join  the  throng. 
When  he  got  to  the  place,  he  found  a great  crowd, 
furrounding  a pavement  on  which  Abba  Thulle  was  feated. 
The  dead  body  was  brought  from  a houfe  not  far  dillant. 
The  proceflion  ftopped  as  it  paffed  before  tlie  King, 
who,  without  rifing  from  his  feat,  fpolce  very  audibly, 

for  a Ihoit  time,  and  then  the  proceflion  went  on 

Whether  what  he  fald  was  an  eulogium  on  the  departed 
youth,  who  had  fallen  in  his  country’s  feiwice,  neither 
of  the  linguifts  being  prefent,  could  not  be  afeertained ; 
but  from  the  folemn  manner  in  which  the  King  deliver- 
ed his  fpeech,  ,and  the  refpeflful  fllence  with  whicli  t!-,e 
people  liftened  to  him,  it  is  by  no  means  improbable 
but  that  this  was  the  purport  of  it. 

Mr.  M.  Wilfon  followed  the  body  to  the  place  of  in- 
terment ; he  obfened  an  elderly  woman  getting  out  of 
the  new-made  grave,  whom  he  conceived  might  be  the 
mother,  or  fome  near  relation,  whom  affedlion  had 
drawn  to  the  melancholy  feene,  to  be  fatisfied  that  eve- 
ry thing  was  duly  prepared. — When  the  corpfe  was  laid- 
in  the  earth,  the  lamentation  of  the  women  attending 


21*  ANACCOUNTOF 

was  very  great. — appeared,  on  this  occafion,  as  well 
as  at, the  funeral  of  Raa  Kook's  fon,  that  no  men,  but 
thofe  who  conveyed  the  body,  were  prefent ; thefe  laft 
fad  offices  were  left  to  the  tenderncfs  of  the  weaker  fex  : 
the  men  only  affembled  round  the  body,  before  it  was 
carried  to  the  grave,  where  they  preferred  a folemn  fi- 
lence  ; their  minds,  from  principles  of  fortitude  or  phl- 
lofophy,  being  armed  to  meet  the  events  of  mortality 
with  manly  fubmiflion,  diverted  from  the  external  terti- 
mony  of  human  weaknefs. 

They  had  places  appropriated  to  fepulture.  Their 
graves  were  made  as  ours  are  in  country  church-yards ; 
.having  the  mould  raifcd  up  in  a ridge,  over  where  tlie 
body  was  depofited. — Some  had  ftones  raifed  above 
them,  with  a flat  one  laid  horizontally  over,  and  fur- 
rounded  by  a kind  of  hurdle-work,  to  prevent  any  one 
from  treading  over  them. 

THEIR  RELIGION. 

There  are  few  people,  I believe,  among  the  race  of 
men,  whom  navigation  hath  brought  to  our  knowledge, 
who  liavc  not  (hewn,  in  feme  inftance  or  other,  a fenfe 
of  fomething  like  religion,however  it  mightbe  mixed  with 
idolatry  or  fuperitition  ; and  yet  our  people,  during  their 
continuance  with  the  natives  of  Peleiv,  never  faw  any 
particular  ceremonies,  or  obferved  any  thing  that  had 
the  appearance  of  public  worfhip. — Indeed,  circum- 
ilanced  as  the  Engli/h  were,  they  had  not  enough  of  the 
language  to  enter  on  topics  of  this  nature;  and  it 
might  alio  have  been  indifereet  to  have  done  It,  as  fuch 
inquiries  might  have  been  mifconceived  or  mifeonftrued 
by  tlie  natives.  Added  to  this,  their  thoughts  were 
naturally  all  bent  on  getting  away,  and  preferring,  whili'l 
they  remained  there,  the  happy  intercourfe.that  fubfift- 
ed  between  them. 

Though  there  was  not  found  on  any  of  the  iflands 
they  vifited,  any  place  appropriated  for  religious  rites, 
-it  would  perhaps  be  going  too  far  to  declare,  that  the 

people 


THE  PE  LEW  ISLANDS.  219 
people  of  Pele-w  had  abfolutely  no  idea'  of  religion. — In- 
dependent of  external  ceremony,  there  may  be  fuch  a 
thing  as  the  religion  of  the  heart,  by  which  the  raied, 
may,  in  awful  filence,  be  turned  to  contemplate  the  God  cf 
Nature;  and  though  unbleffed  by  tliofe  lights  which  have 
pointed  to  the  Chriftian  world  an  unerring  patli  to  hap- 
pinefs  and  peace,  yet  they  might,  from  the  light  of  ren- 
fon  only,  have  difeovered  the  efficacy  of  virtue,  and  tire 
temporal  advantages  arifing  from  moral  re£lltude. — The 
reader  will,  by  this  time,  have  met  with  fuff.cient  occ'ur- 
rences  to  convince  him,  that  the  inhabitants  of  theffi 
new-difeovered  regions  had  a fixed  and  rooted  fenfe  of 
the  great  moral  duties ; this  appeared  to  govern  their 
conduft,  glow  in  all  their  ailions,  and  grace  their  lives. 
—Arifing  from  fuch  principles,  we  fee  them  laborious, 
indullrious,  benevolent. — In  moments  of  danger,  firm, 
and  prodigal  of  life;  under  misfortunes,  patient;  in 
death,  refigned. — And  if,  under  all  thefe  civcumfiancer, 
he  can  conceive  that  the  natives  of  Peh'U'  pafied  their  cx- 
iftence  away,  without  foiue  degree  of  Corjielencey  feme 
degree  of  Hope,  I have  only  to  fay,  his  idea  of  mankind 
ir.uil  widely  differ  from  my  own. 

Supcrflition  is  a word  of  great  latitude,  and  vaguciv 
denned  ; though  it  hath,  in  enlightened  ages,  been 
called  the  offspring  of  igmorance,  yet  in  no  times  hath 
it  exiffed  without  having  fome  connecIioH  with  religion. 
— Now  the  people  of  Pe’wM,  had  beyond  ail  doubt,  feme 
portion  of  it,  as  appeared  in  the  wifh  expreffed  by  the 
King,  when  be  faw’  the  fhip  building,  that  the  Engiyh 
would  take  out  of  it  fome  particular  wmod,  w hich  he  per- 
ceived they  had  m.ade  ufe  of,  and  which  he  obferved  to 
them  was  deemed  to  be  of  Ul-omcn  or  vr.prepltlous. 

I'hcy  had  alfo  an  idea  of  an  evil  fpiiit,  that  often 
counteradled  human  affairs;  a very  particular iufcance  of 
this  was  fecn  when  Mr.  Barker  (a  moil  valuable  mem- 
ber in  the  Englifi  fociety)  fell  backward  from  the  fide 
of  the  veirel,  then  ou  the  flocks;  Raa  Kook,  who  hap- 
pened to  be  prefent,  obferved  thereupon,  that  it  was 
owing  to  the  unlucky  nvood  our  people  had  futfered  to  re- 
main 


220 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF 

rriiiin  in  tlie  vefTcI,  tliat  tlie  evil  fpirit  had  occafioncd  this 
inifchief  to  Mr.  Banker. 

In  the  paflage  from  Pelew  to  China,  fomewhat  was  dif- 
covered  in  Prince  Lee  Boo,  pretty  fimilar  to  what  is  com- 
monly Q^c^fecondftght; — at  the  time  when  he  was  (as  be- 
fore mentioued)  very  fea-fick,  he  faid  how  much  he  was 
concerned  at  thedidrefs  liis  father  and  friends  were  feeling, 
who  kne-Tx:  what  he  was  then  fuffering. — The  fame  anxiety 
operated  on  him,  on  their  account,  when  he  perceived  his 
cliffo'ution  drawing  near,  as  we  fhall  have  occafioa  to 
mention  hereafter. 

They  certainly  entertained  fo  flrong  an  idea  of  Divi- 
nation, that  whenever  any  matter  of  moment  was  going 
to  be  undertaken,  they  conceived  they  could,  by  fplit- 
ting  the  leaves  of  a particular  plant  that  was  not  unlike 
our  bulrnlh,  and  mcafuving  the  drips  of  this  long, 
narrow  leaf  on  the  back  of  their  middle  finger,  form  a 
judgment  whether  it  would  or  would  not  turn  out 
profperous  : this  was  obferved  by  Mr.  M.  IVilfon,  in  his 
lirll  vifit  to  the  King  at  Pciew;  and  on  inquiry  was  af- 
terwards explained  to  the  Engli/J},  by  the  linguift,  as 
being  done  to  difeover  if  their  arrival  foreboded  good 
or  ill  fortune.— It  was  noticed  by  fcveral  of  our  people, 
that  the  King  recurred  to  this  fuppofed  oracle  on  differ- 
ent occafions,  particularly  at  the  time  they  went  on  the 
fecond  expedition  againil  Artingall,  when  he  appeared  to 
be  very  unwilling  to  go  on  board  his  canoe,  and  kept  all 
liis  attendants  wailing,  till  he  had  tumbled  and  twifted 
his  leaves  into  a form  that  fatisfied  his  mind,  and  pre- 
dicted fuccefs. — Our  people  never  obferved  any  perfon 
but  the  King  apply  to  this  Divination. 

It  is  hardly  probable  but  the  fond  anxiety  of  a pa- 
rent, ca  giving  up  a fon  into  the  hands  of  firangers, 
who  were  to  convey  him  to  remote  regions,  of  which  lie 
could  form  to  himfelf  but  very  imperfeft  notions,  would, 
on  fo  intereiling  a point,  induce  him  to  examine  his  ora- 
cle with  uncommon  attention  ; and  it  is  as  little  to  be 
doubted  but  that  every  thing  wore,  to  his  imagination, 
a profperous  appearance. — Yet,  to  evince  the  fallacy  of 
Ids  prophetic  leaves,  they  certainly  argued  not  the  truth, 


221 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS. 

nor  prelentecl  to  the  fatlicr’s  mind  even  a fufpicion,  that 
the  I’on  he  parted  with  he  fliould  fee  no  more ! 

On  this  fubjeft,  I would  further  wifh  to  bring  back 
to  the  reader’s  recolleftion  a few  occurrences  already  no- 
ticed:  As  Raa  Kook,  and  others  of  the  natives, 

were  two  or  three  times  prefent  when  Captain  IF i/Jhn,  on 
z Suncia^^  evening,  alfemblcd  his  people  to  read  prayers 
to  them,  they  expreffed  no  furprife  at  what  was  doing, 
but  appeared  clearly  to  underlland  that  it  was  the  mode 
in  which  the  En^iyh  addrefied  that  invillble  God,  whom 
they  looked.up  to  for  prote£iion  ; and,  however  differ- 
ent their  own  notions  might  be,  they  attended  the  En^- 
hfi  on  thefe  occafions  with  great  refpeef,  fceming  defir- 
ous  to  join  in  it,  and  conflantly  preferring  the  mofl  pro- 
found filence — the  General  never  allowing  the  natives 
to  fpeak  a fingle  word,  and  refufing  even  to  receive  a 
meflage  from  the  King,  which  arrived  at  the  tents  dur- 
ing divine  fervice. 

The  ceremony  ufed  by  Raa  Kook,  after  the  funeral 
of  his  fon,  when  he  repeated  fomething  to  himfelf  whill’c 
he  was  marking  the  cocoa-nuts,  and  the  bundle  of  bee- 
tle-leaves, which  the  old  woman  was  to  place  on  the 
young  man’s  grave,  had  every  appearance  of  a pious  of- 
fice ; — and  when  he  planted  the  cocoa-nuts,  and  fome 
other  fruit-trees,  on  the  Ifland  of  Oroolong,  what  he  ut- 
tered in  a low  voice,  as  each  feed  was  depofited  in  the 
• earth,  im.prefTed  thofe  prefent  as  the  giving  a benediction 
to  the  future  tree  that  was  to  fpring  from  it. — The  King 
alfo,  when  he  took  leave  of  his  fon,  faid  a few  words, 
which,  by  the  foleranity  they  were  delivered  wi;h,  and 
the  refpeftful  manner  in  which  Lee  Boo  received  them, 
induced  all  our  countrymen  to  conceive  it  was  a kind  of 
blcfiing. 

I muft,  in  this  place,  add  a circumflanee  that  paffed 
in  converfation  with  Captain  IVilfon  and  Lee  Boo,  after 
he  had  been  fome  time  in  England;  the  former  telling 
him,  that  faying  prayers  at  church  was  to  make  men 
good,  that  when  they  died,  and  were  buried,  they  might 
live  agai.i  above  (pointing  to  the  fliy  ;)  Lee  Boo,  with 
great  carncllnefs,  replied — All  fane  Felezu — Bad  men 
T 2 ' Jla^j 


222 


AN  ACCOUNT  O T 

J}ay  in  eart/j—gooJ  men  go  tn/o  Jly — become  very  leautifuiy 
holding  his  hand  in  the  air,  and  giving  a fluttering  mo- 
tion to  his  fingdrs. — This  furely  conveyed  a llrong  idea, 
that  they  believed  the  fpirit  exilled  when  the  body  was 
no  more. 

After  combining  all  thefe  fadts,  and  uniting  them 
with  the  moral  characters  of  the  people,  the  reader  is 
left  in  a fituation  to  judge  for  birnfelf  (independent  of 
I^ee'  declaration)  whether  it  is  probable  that  their 
lives  could  be  conducted  with  that  decency  we  have  feen, 
and  their  minds  trained  to  fo  llrong  a fcnf&  of  julllce, 
propriety,  and  delicacy,  without  having  fome  guiding 
principle  of  religion. — Thus  much,  at  leafl,  I think  we 
may  be  authorized  to  aflert. — If  all  this  was  effected 
■without  it,  it  proves  that  the  natives  of  Pelew  had  been 
happy  enough  not  only  to  difcover,  but  to  be  perfeCtly 
convinced,  that  P n'tue  was  its  oo.vn  reward. 

GENERAL  CHARACTER  OF  THE  NATIVES. 

I fliall  clofe  this  account  of  the  Pelcw  iflands  with  a 
few  general  leniarks  on  the  difpofltion  and  charaCter  of 
the  natives. 

'Fhe  conduct  of  thefe  people  towards  the  EngTiJh  was, 
from  the  firll  to  the  lafl,  uniformly  courteous  and  atten- 
tive, accompanied  with  a politenefs  that  furprifed  thofe 
on  whom  it  vva.s  beftowed.  At  all  times  they  feemed 
lb  cautious  cf  intruding,  that  on  many  ocealions  they 
iacriliced  their  natural  curiofity  to  that  refpeCt,  which 
natural  gciod  manners  appeared  to  them  to  exaCf.  Their 
liberality  to  the  Englijh  at  their  departure,  when  indi- 
vidual;. poured  In  all  the  befl  they  had  to  give,  and  that 
of  articles  too  of  which  they  had  far  from  plenty  them- 
fclvcs,  llrongly  dcmonflialcd  that  thefe  teilimonles  of 
fiiendfnip  were  tlie  eiTufion  of  hearts  that  glowed  with 
the  flame  of  philanthropy ; and  when  our  countrymen, 
from  want  of  llowage,  were  compeiltu  to  retule  the 
further  marks  of  kindnefs  which  were  offered  them,  the 
entreating  eyes  and  fupplicating  gdlures  with  which  they 

folicited 


the  P E L E W island  3.  225 

lolilited  their  acceptance  of  what  they  had  brought, 
molt  forcibly  exprefTcd.  how  much  their  minds  were 
wounded,  to  think  they  had  not  anived  ca.  Iy  enough  to 
have  their  little  tributes- of  affection  received. 

Nor  was  this  conduct  of  theirs  an  oftentatious  civiL'ty 
exercifed  tow'aids  Itrangers. — Separated  as  they  were 
from  the  reft  of  the  world,  the  charafter  of  a ftranger 
had  never  entered  their  imagination. — They  felt  our 
people  were  diftrefled,  and  in  confequence  wifhed  they 
Ihould  ftiare  whatever  they  had  to  give.  It  was  not 
that  worldly  munificence,  that  beftows  and  fpreads  its 
favors  with  a diftant  eye  to  retribution — Their  bofoms 
had  never  harboured  fo  contaminating  a thought — No  ; 
it  was  the  pure  emotions  of  native  benevolence. — It 
was  the  love  of  man  to  man. — It  was  a feene  that  pic- 
tured human  nature  in  triumphant  coloring — And,  whlllt 
their  liberality  gratified  the  fenfe,  their  virtue  ftruck  the 
Ireart ! sT 

Our  people  had  alfo  many  occafions  to  obferve,  that 
this  fpirit  of  urbanity  operated  in  all  the  intercourfe  the 
natives  had  among  themfelves.  The  attention  and  ten- 
dernefs  Ihewn  to  the  women  was  remarkable,  and  the 
deportment  of  the  men  to  each  other  mild  and  affable  ; 
infomuch  that,  in  various  feenes  of  which  they  were 
fpe<ftators,  durirrg  their  ftay  on  thefe  iflands,  the  Englifh-, 
never  faw  any  thing  that  had  the  appearance  of  conteft, 
or  paftion : every  one  feemed  to  attend  to  his  own  con- 
cerns, without  interfering  with  the  bufinefs  of  their 
neighbour. — The  men  were  occupied  in  their  plantations, 
in  cutting  wood,  making  hatchets,  line,  or  fmail  cords:  or 
fome  in  building  houfes  or  canoes  : others  in  making 
nets  and  fifhing-tackle.  The  forming  of  darts,  ipears, 
and  other  warlike  rveapons,  engroffed  the  attention  of 
many  more;  as  alfo  the  making  of  paddles  for  tfieir 
boats,  the  fafhionlng  of  domeftic  utenfils,  and  the  pre- 
paring and  burning  the  chinam. — Such  as  had  abilities 
to  conduift  any  ufeful  employment  were  called  by  the 
natives  'Tachalbys  ; of  this  clafs  were  reckoned  the  peo- 
ple who  built,  or  inlaid  the  canoes  j fuch  alfo  were  thofe 

who  ■ 


22+  ANACCOUNTOF 

who  manufactured  the  tortoife-fhell,  or  made  the  po'c- 
tcr)^ 

As  induftr)',  however  zealous,  miift  be  flow  in  pro- 
ducing its  pui-pofe,  unaided  by  proper  implements,  and 
labor  rendered  extremely  tedious  from  this  deficiency, 
yet,  in  i-egions  where  fucli  advantages  are  denied,  we 
do  not  find  that  the  ardor  of  attempting  is  abated.  A 
Heady  perfeverance,  to  a certain  degree,  accompliflres 
the  end  aimed  at;  and  Eurape  hath  not,  without  reafon, 
been  aftonifhed  at  the  many  Angular  produ6lions  import- 
ed from  the  fouthein  difeoveries,  fo  neatly  and  curioufly 
wrought  by  artlefs  hands,  unaflifted  but  by  fuch  Ample 
tools  as  ferve  only  to  incrcafe  our  furprife,  when  we  fee 
how  much  they  have  effefted. — Every  man,  by  his  daily 
labor,  gained  his  daily  fuftenance : neceflity  impoAng 
this  exertion,  no  idle  or  indolent  people  were  feen,  not 
even  among  thofe  whom  fuperior  rank  might  have  ex- 
empted; on  the  contrary,  thefe  excited  their  inferiors 
to  toil  and  activity  by  their  own  examples.  The  King 
himfelf  was  the  betl  maker  of  hatchets  in  the  ifland, 
and  was  ufualiy  at  «'ork  whenever  difengaged  from  mat- 
ters of  importance. — Even  the  women  (hared  in  the 
common  toil ; they  laboi'cd  in  the  plantatioiis  of  yams, 
and  it  was  their  province  to  pluck  out  all  the  weeds  that 
(hot  up  from  between  the  Hones  of  the  paved  caufeways. 
They  manufaftured  the  mats  and  bafkets,  as  well  as  at- 
tended to  their  domeAic  concerns.  The  buAnefs  of 
tatooingwas  alfo  carried  on  by  them;  thofe  who  entered 
on  this  employment  were  denominated  Tackalbys  artheil,  or 
female  artiHs. — Their  manners  were  courteous,  though 
they  were  far  from  being  of  loofe  or  vicious  difpoAti- 
ons ; — they  in  general  rejected  connexions  with  our 
people,  and  refented  any  indelicate  or  unbecoming  free- 
dom with  a proper  fenfe  of  mpdeHy. 

In  fuch  feenes  of  patient  indufiry,  the  years  of  fleet- 
ing life  pafled  on  ; and  the  cheerful  difpoAtion  of  the 
natives  fully  authorized  our  people  to  fuppofe,  that  there 
were  few  hours  of  it  either  irkfome  or  oppreflive.  They 
were  Hrangers  to  thofe  pafiions  which  ambition  excites — 
to  thofe  cares  which  affluence  awakens. — Their  exiHence 

appeared 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  225 

appeared  to  glide' along  like  a fmooth,  undifturbed  llream; 
and  when  the  natural  occurrences  of  life  ruffled  the 
furface,  they  polTefled  a fufficient  portion  of  fortitude 
to  recover  foon  its  wonted  calm. — Their  happinefs  feem- 
ed  to  be  fecured  to  them  on  the  firmed  bafis;  for  the 
little  which  Nature  and  Providence  fpread  before  them, 
they  enjoyed  with  a contented  cheerfulnefs;  nor  were 
their  bofoms  habituated  to'  cherifli  willies  which  they  had 
not  the  power  of  gratifying.  And  it  will  not  furely 
be  denied,  that  in  civilized  nations  the  error  of  a con- 
trary conduft  exhibits,  among  tiie  inaftive,  many  me- 
lancholy, repining  countenances;  whild  it  prompts  more 
daring  and  uncontrouled  fpirits  to  aim  at  compaffing 
their  views  by  injudicc,  or  rapine,  and  to  bieak  down 
the  facred  barrier  of  fociety. 

From  the  general  charatder  of  thefe  people,  the  rea- 
der, I fiiould  conceive,  will  be  difpofed  to  allow,  that 
their  lives  do  credit  to  human  nature;  and  that,  how- 
ever untutored,  however  uninformed,  their  manners 
prefent  an  intereding  pi^ure  to  mankind. — We  fee  a 
defpotic  government  without  one  diade  of  tyranny,  and 
power  only  exercifed  for  general  happinefs,  the  fubjefts 
looking  up  with  filial  reverence  to  their  King. — And, 
whild  a mild  government,  and  an  affedflonate  confidence, 
linked  their  little  date  in  bonds  of  harmony,  gentlenefs 
of  manners  was  the  natural  refult,  and  fixed  a brotherly 
and  difintereded  intcrcourfe  among  one  another. 

I am  well  aware,  that  in  the  expedition  againd  Pd(~ 
leiv,  the  dedroying  the  houfes  and  plantations  of  the 
little  ifiand  belonging  to  it,  which  the  natives,  through 
fear,  had  abandoned,  as  well  as  the  killing  thofe  whom 
they  captured  in  battle,  are  both  of  them  circtlmdances 
which  will  appear  to  militate  againd  that  humanity  which, 
throughout  this  work,  I have  attributed  to  the  people 
of  Pr/fw.  — Refpe<ding  the  firll,  though  the  landing  in 
an  enemy’s  country',  and  fpreading  devaftation  and 
didrefs,  is  by'  no  means  a practice  new  in  the  annals  of 
hidory',  political  r.ecejjity  qualifying  the  meafure;  yet  in 
thefe  regions  it  feemed  alfo  to  militate  fo  much  againd 
their  accudomed  maxim,  uevey  to  take  an  enemy  by  fur- 


226  ANACCOUNTOF 

prife,  but  to  give  previous  notice  of  a meditated  attach,  that 
I am  ftrongly  inclined  to  think  that  this  might  have 
been  a new  art  of  war  fuggefted  to  the  King  by  the 
Malay  favorite,  as  it  totally  contradifted  that  open 
gcnerofity  with  which  they  at  all  times  conduced  hofti- 
lities. 

As  to  their  putting  their  prifoners  to  death,  Raa 
Kook,  on  being  cenfured  for  it  by  Captain  Wilfon,  fald, 
it  had  not  been  altvays  fo ; and,  in  affigning  the  reafons 
for  being  compelled  to  do  it,  feemed  to  Ihelter  the  pro- 
ceeding under  the  plea  of  political  necejftty. 

The  number  captured  in  any  of  their  battles  muft, 
from  their  mode  of  engaging,  be  at  all  times  very 
trifling.  In  the  moft  coufiderable  engage  ent  our  peo- 
ple witnefled  at  Artingall,  no  more  than  nine  were  made 
prifoners,  which  the  natives  accounted  a great  many ; 
nor  were  thefe  put  to  death  in  cold  blood,  it  rather 
might  be  called  the  clofe  of  the  battle.  It  was  general- 
ly the  effeft  of  unfubfided  paffion  or  revenge,  the  ter- 
minating blow  being,  in  moft  cafes,  given  by  fome  one 
who  had  loft  a near  relation,  or  friend,  in  the  battle, 
or  was  h^felf  fulferlt^  under  the  pain  of  a wound. 
Situated,%efide,  fo  nearly  as  thefe  iflands  vvere  to  each 
other,  it  was  next  to  Impoflible  to  detain  their  captives; 
they  had  no  prifons  to  confine  them;  no  cartel  canoes 
to  negotiate  an  exchange;  and,  going  about  the  ifland 
freely,  the  lives  of  the  Sovereign,  or  his  Chiefs,  were 
at  all  times  aflailable  by  any  vindiftive  fpirit.  They  had, 
as  t!ie  General  told  Captain  U'ilfon,  InefFeftually  ftrove 
to  detain  them  as  menial  fervants.  Therefore,  revolting 
as  the  idea  is,  if  they  have,  in  this  refpeft,  adopted  a 
maxim  which  prevails  among  the  Indian  tribes  in  America, 
and  in  the  numerous  ftates  of  Africa  (though  the  num- 
ber of  lives  facrificed  can  never  here  be  many)  one 
hath  only  to  lament  that  political  neefftty  hath  (in  com- 
mon with  a multitude  of  other  uncivilized  countries) 
thrown  a fhade  over  thefe  new-difeovered  iflands. 

It  fliould  be  the  caution  of  every  writer,  to  endeavour 
to  difaim  crilicifm,  by  meeting  objeftions  that  may  be 
made. — ^After  the  good  difpofitioa  which  the  people  of 

Pelew 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  227 

Peletu  have  been  feen  to  poflefs,  it  may  poffibly  be  laid, 
they  were  addidled  to  pilfering  wlien  opportunity  of- 
fered ; a cenfure  which  many,  I believe,  have  thought 
has  been  too  feverely  pafled  on  the  poor  inhabitants  of 
the  fouthern  ocean. — But  in  the  Peleiv  iflands,  it  was 
never  done  but  by  thofe  of  the  loweft  clafs;  and  whenever 
complaint  was  made  of  any  thing  being  taken  clandeftine- 
ly  away,  the  King,  as  well  as  his  Chiefs,  confidered  it 
as  a breach  of  holpitality,  nor  could  their  indignant  fpi- 
rits  reft  till  the  article  purloined  was  fearched  for,  and 
if  found,  reftored.  — Should  fome  Eaftern  Prince,  magnifi- 
cently decorated,  accidentally,  as  he  paffed  along,  drop 
a diamond  from  his  robe,  and  were  a poor  peafant  (who 
knew  how  great  an  acquifition  it  was)  purfuing  the  fame 
tfaft,  to  fee  it  fparkling  in  the  duft,  where  is  that  refift- 
ance,  that  felf-denial,  which  would  go  on  and  leave  it 
untouched? — A nail — a tool — or  a bit  of  old  iron,  was 
to  them  the  alluring  diamond. — They  had  no  penal 
ftatute  againft  petty  larceny.  They  fought  only  the  means 
of  rendering  eafier  the  daily  toils  of  life,  and  compafling 
with  facility  that,  which  they  Imperfeftly  accomplilhed 
by  unwearied  perfeverance ! And,  I am  confident,  the 
voice  of  reafon  will  unite  with  me  in  aftertlng,  that  they 
muft  have  been  more  than  men,  had  they  afted  lefs  like 
men.  Virtuous  in  the  extreme  would  be  deemed  that 
country,  where  the  confclence  of  no  individual,  in  the 
cool  moments  of  refledflon,  could  upbraid  him  with  a 
heavier  tranfgreffion,  than  applying  to  his  own  ufe  a bit 
of  iron  that  lay  before  him  ! 

In  the  name  of  humanity,  then,  let  us  judge  with  lefs 
rigor  our  fellow-creatures;  and,  ftiould  any  one  be  dif- 
pofed,  for  fuch  trivial  fallings,  to  cenfure  the  benevolent 
inhabitants  of  Pelew,  that  cenfure,  I truft,  for  the  fake 
of  juftice,  will  never  be  paffed  on  them  by  thofe  who 
live  in  civilized  and  enlightened  nations — for  Such  muft 
be  too  well  convinced  of  the  Inefficacy  of  the  beft-di- 
gefted  laws,  and  the  Inability  of  their  own  internal  po- 
lice to  reftrain  the  vices  of  mankind,  by  obferving,  that 
all  which  prudence  can  re\’olve,  wifdom  plan,  or  power 
‘enforce,  is  frequently  unable  to  protect  their  Property  by 

night. 


228  ANACCOUNTOF 

night,  or  their  Perfons,  at  all  times,  ev^n  under  meridi- 
an funs. — They  will  refleft,  that  every  bolt  and  bar  is 
a fatire  on  fociety ; and  painfully  recoiled!,  that  it  is 
not  the  daring  plunderer  alone  they  have  to  guard  againft; 
they  are  alfailable  under  the  fmile  of  dijfemhled  friendfhip, 
by  which  the  Generous  and  the  Confiding  are  too  often 
betrayed  into  a fituation  beyond  the  Ihelter  of  any  pro- 
teeing  law ; a wound  which  perhaps,  more  than  any 
other,  hath  tortured  the  feelings  of  fenfibility ! 

Waiting,  therefore,  that  long-expe6!ed  sera,  when 
civilization,  fcience,  and  philofophy,  flraH  bring  us  to 
a more  confirmed  praGice  of  real  virtue,  it  becomes  us 
to  view  with  charity  thofe  errors  in  others,  which  we 
have  not  yet  been  able  to  correft  in  ourfelves. 

If  the  enlightened  fons  of  Europe,  enjoying  the  full 
blaze  of  advantages  unknown  in  lefs  favored  regions, 
have  hitherto  made  fo  flow  an  advance  toward  moral per- 
feilion,  they  are  furely  pafling  the  fevereft  cenfure  on 
themjelves,  if  they  expedl  to  find  it  in  a happier  man- 
ner approached  by  the  dark  and  unfriended  children  of 
the  Southern  World! 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 


/inecdotes  of  Lee  Boo,  fecond  Son  of  Abba  Thulle,  from 
the  'Time  of  leaving  Canton  to  his  Death. 

Having  given  a faithful  narrative  of  all  the 
material  occurrences  which  happened  to  our  peo- 
ple during  the  time  they  remained  in  the  Pelenv  Iflands, 
as  well  as  fuch  information  concerning  their  produce, 
manners,  dlfpofitlon,  way  of  life,  and  charafter  of  the 
natives,  as  could  be  collefted  in  that  fpace  of  time,  from 
the  intercourfe  our  countr}’men  had  with  them ; I fliall 
clofe  this  work  with  fuch  anecdotes  of  Prince  Lee  Boo, 
as  I have  received  from  fome  of  my  particular  friciidj 
who  often  faw  liim,  added  to  thofe  I have  myfelf  befn 

witnefs 


THE  P E L E W I S L A D 22-) 

wknefs  of ; — infignificant  as  the  amount  of  the  whole 
may  be,  yet  I think  them  worth  recording  ; — from  a 
trifling  flcetch,  or  a mere  outline,  enough  may  be  gain- 
ed of  charafter,  to  convey  to  the  mind  no  fallacious  idea 
of  the  objeft  aimed  at. — In  the  prefcnt  cafe,  no  more 
than  an  outline  can  be  delineated. — Had  not  this  youth, 
who  came  here  almoll  a ftranger  to  our  language,  and 
who  lived  more  than  five  months  with  us,  been  fnatched 
away  fo  foon  to  fill  an  early  grave,  I might  have  been 
enabled  to  ofler  the  public  a more  finifliLd  pidlure  of 
him. 

In  the  flight  acquaintance  made  with  him  at  Mixcoa 
and  Cavion,  he  hath,  I trull,  interefted  the  reader  by 
tliat  ingenuous  opennefs,  which  was  the  refult  of  native 
fimplicity;  he  is  there  feen  in  the  charadler  of  a new- 
born creature,  juft  entering  a world  he  was  quite  aftran- 
ger  to,  darting  his  bewildered  eyes  on  eveiy  fide,  and 
folicited  by  fuch  a variety  of  novelty,  that  he  knew  not 
where  to  fix  his  attention.  However  beautiful,  how- 
ever ftupendous  the  objedls  may  be  which  furroiinj 
us,  when  they  have  been  within  our  view  through  all  viie 
pvogrefiive  advance  of  early  years,  they  infenfibly  ceaje 
to  engage  our  notice. — The  peafant,  bred  at  the  foot  of 
JEtna  or  the  jUid;s,  fees,  with  indifference,  thofe  won- 
derful operations  of  Nature,  which  feduce  fo  frequently 
from  diftant  countries  the  inquifitive  traveller.— The 
cafe  of  Lee  Boo  was  directly  otherwife;  if  I may  be  al- 
lowed the  expreflion,  he  was  born  at  the  ftr.tc  of  man- 
hood, with  his  mind  in  full  vigor,  and  iiiflantly  found 
himfelf  encompaffed  by  feenes  not  only  totall”  iww,  bet 
totally  beyond  his  conceptions — feenes  which  to  him 
were  fo  bordering  on  encb.antment,  they  were  uifficlent 
to  have  half  overfet  the  inexperienced  faculties  of  our 
young  traveller,  had  he  not  conftaatly  had  his  Menlor  at 
at  his  elbow  to  clear  up  all  his  difficulties,  point  his 
judgment  properly,  and  give  him  a juft  expl.inaticn  of 
whatever  became  an  objedl  of  his  notice  ar.d  lurpidk*. 

Wc  left  them  together,  as  the  reader  will  reculLcl, 
on  board  the  Morfe  Imliaman,  purfuing  their  pafl'age  to 
Earo^.: ; he  was  treated  with  much  kindnefs  and  atten- 
U tion 


2SO  ANACCOUNTOF  V 

tion  by  the  Comnianclsr,  Captain  Elliot,  and  Lee  Boo  % 
was  fo  courteous  and  plcsifant  during  the  whole  voyage, 
that  every  one  was  ready  to  render  him  every  fervice  in  L 
their  power. 

■He  was  extremely  defirous  of  knowing  the  name  and 
country  of  every  fliip  he  met  at  fea,  and  would  repeat  ‘p 
what  he  was  told  over  and  over  till  he  had  fixed  it  well 
in  his  memory;  and,  as  each  inquiry  was  gratified,  he 
made  a knot  on  his  Line;  but  thefe  knots  now  having 
greatly  multiplied,  he  was  obliged  to  repeat  them  over 
every  day  to  refrelh  his  memory,  and  often  to  recur  to 
Captain  IViljcn,  or  others,  when  he  had  forgot  what 
any  particular  knot  referred  to.  The  officers  in  the 
Morfe  with  whom  only  lie  affociated,  when  they  faw 
him  thus  bufied  with  his  Line,  ufed  to  fay  he  was  read- 
ing his  journal.  He  frequently  affied  after  all  the  peq-  i 
pie  of  the  Oroolong,  who  had  gone  aboard  different  /hips  I 
■ at  China,  particularly  after  the  Captain’s  fon,  and  Mr. 
'.Sharp, 

He  had  not  been  long  on  the  voyage  before  he  fo- 
licited  Captain  Wilfon  to  get  him  a book,  and  point  out 
to  him  the  letters,  that  he  might,  when  he  knew  them,  * 
-be  inftrufted  in  reading;  all  convenient  opportunities  ^ 
were  allotted  to  gratify  this  wiih  of  his  young  pupil,  | 
who  difeovered  great  readinefs  in  comprehending  every  j 
information  given  him.  j 

On  arriving  at  Saint  Helena,  he  was  much  ffruck 
with  the  foldiers  and  cannon  on  the  fortifications;  and  ' 
the  coming  in  foon  after  of  four  Englijh  men  of  war, 
afforded  him  a fight  highly  delighting,  particularly  thofe 
w'hich  had  two  tier  of  guns.  It  was  explained  to  him 
that  thefe  kind  of  /hips  were  intended  only  for  fighting, 
and  that  the  other  veffels  which  he  then  f|w  in  tire  Bay 
were  deftined  for  commerce,  to  tranfpoA^^d  exchange 
from  one  country  to  another  itsproduce  an1pntnufa£lures. 
C^utain  Buller,  the  Commander  of  his  ^^jefty’s  /hip 
Ehe  Chafer,  had  the  goodnefs  to  take  him  on  board  his. 
own,  and  another  /hip,  to  let  him  fee  the  men  exercifed 
at  the  great  guns  and  fmall  arms,  which  exceedingly  im- 
preffed  his  imagination.  ' 


THE  PE  LEW  fS  LANES.'  231 

On  being  carried  to  fee  a fciiool,  he  exprefTed  a wifh 
that  he  could  learn  as  the  boys  did,  feeling  his  own  de- 
ficiency  in  knowledge. 

Ele  delired  to  ride  on  horfeback  Into  the  countiy, 
\thich  he  was  permitted  to  do  ; he  fat  v/cll,  and  gallop- 
ed, {hewed  no  fear  of  falling,  and  appeared  hlgbly' 
pleafed  both  with  the  novelty  and  pleafure  of  the  ex- 
crclfe. 

Villting  th.e  Company’s  garden,  he  noticed  fomc 
Ihady  walks  formed  v/ith  bamboos  arching  overhead  on 
Lttice-work.  He  was  (Inick  with  the  refrething  cool- 
nefs  they  afforded,  and  obfefved,  that  Iris  own  country- 
nten  were  ignorant  of  the  f.cvantr.pys  tbey  might  enjoy, 
faying,  that  on  this  ifland  they  had  but  little  vroed, 
yet  applied  it  to  a good  parpofe;  that  at  Pelczu  they 
had  great  abundance,  and  knew  not  how  to  ufe  it. — 
Adding,  that  when  he  went  back,  he  ■would  fpcak  to 
the  King,  tell  him  how  defedlive  tliey  were,  and  have 
men  employed  to  make  fuch  bowers  as  he  had  fecn. 

Such  were  the  dawnings  of  a mind  tint  felt  its  cv;n 
darknefs — ^and  had  the  good-fenfe  to  catch  at  every  ray 
of  light  that  might  lead  him  forward  to  information 
and  improvement! 

Before  the  Morfe  quitted  Satnt  Helena,  the  Lafcellcs 
arrived,  by  which  occui-rence  Lee  Boo  had  an  interview 
witli  his  firft  friend,  Mr.  Sharp  ; he  had  a light  of  him 
from  a window,  and  ran  out  with  the  ucmcll:  impatience 
to  take  him  by  the  hand  ; happy,  after  fo  long  a fepa- 
ration,  to  meet  him  again,  and  evincing  by  his  ardor 
the  grateful  fentiments  he  retailed  of  the  attention  that 
gentleman  had  Ihcwn  him. 

As  he  drew  near  the  Br'utjh  channel,  the  number  of 
veflels  that  he  obferved  purfuing  their  different  courfes, 
increafing  fo  much,  he  was  obliged  to  give  up  the  keep- 
ing of  his  journal;  but  was  rtill  very  Inquifitlve  to  know, 
whither  they  were  falling. — ^When  the  Morfe  got  to  the 
JJle  of  Captain  U i!fon,'h\a  brother,  the  Prince, 

with  fcveral  ether  paffengers,  quitted  her,  and  coming- 
in  a boat  between  the  Needles,  arrived  fafe  at  Portf- 
moutb  the  fourteenth  of  fuly  1784. — On  landing,  the 

number 


2jJ  ANACCOUNTOF 

nunibcr  and  fize  of  the  men  of  war  t'len  in  harbour, 
the  variety  of  houfes,  and  the  ramparts,  were  all  objefts 
of  attradlion;  he  feemed  fo  totally  abforbed  in  filcnt 
furprife,  tliat  he  had  no  leifure  to  a/lc  any  qiicllions. — 
The  olficer  of  the  3Torfe  charged  with  the  defpatches 
fetting  off  immediately  for  London,  Captain  M^ilfon,  im- 
patient to  fee  his  family,  accompanied  him,  leaving  his 
young  traveller  in  the  care  of  his  brother,  to  follow  him 
by  a coach,  which  was  to  fet  off  in  the  evening.  As 
boon  as  he  reached  town,  he  was  conveyed  to  the  Cap- 
tain’s houfe  at  RotherhUhe,  where  he  was  not  a little 
happy  to  rejoin  his  adopted  father,  and  in  being  intro- 
duced to  his  family. 

Though  part  of  his  journey  had  paffed  during  the 
night,  yet,  with  returning  day,  his  eyes  had  full  em- 
jdoyment  on  every  fide;  and  when  he  was  got  to  what 
was  now  to  be,  for  fome  time,  bis  deflined  home,  he 
aniyed  in  all  the  natural  glow  of  his  youthful  fpirits. 
Whatever  he  had  obferved  in  filence,  was  now  eagerly 
diiciofed.  He  deferibed  all  the  circumftances  of  his 
journey;  faid  it  was  very  pleafant — that  he  had  been 
put  into  a little  houfe,  which  was  ran  away  with  by 
herfes — that  he  flept,  but  flill  was  going  on ; and,  whilft 
he  went  one  way,  the  fields,  houfes,  and  trees,  all  went 
another — every  thing,  from  the  quicknefs  of  travelling, 
appearing  to  him  to  be  in  motion. 

At  the  hour  of  reft  he  was  fliewn  by  Mr.  3T.  WiJfon 
up  to  his  chamber,  w'hcre,  for  the  firft  time,  he  faw  a 
four-poft  bed;  be  could  fcarce  conceive  what  it  meant — 
he  jumped  in,  and  jumpqd  out  again ; felt  and  pulled  alide 
the  curtains ; got  into'lbed,  and  then  got  out  a fecond 
time,  to  admire  its  exterior  form.  At  length,  having 
become  acquainted  with  its  ufe  and  convenience,  he  laid 
him.felf  down  to  deep,  faying  that  in  England  then  tvas  a 
/.  oufe  for  every  thing. 

it  was  not,  I believe,  more  than  a week  after  his  ar- 
rival, when  I was  invited,  by  my  late  valued  friend  Ro- 
b rt  Rnfileigh,  Efq.  to  dinner,  where  Captain  IVi'fon, 
and  his  young  charge,  were  expeifled. — Lee  Boo  then 
poffeffed  but  very  little  Engli/h,  yet,  between  words  and 

aQions, 


T H t:  p:e  l e'w  i's  land  s.  233 

^ftions,  made  himfelf  tolerably  underftood,  and  feemed 
to  comprehend  the  greater  part  of  what  was  faid  to 
him,  efpecially,  having  the  Captain  by  him  to  explain 
whatever  he  did  not  clearly  comprehend. — He  was  drefl 
as  an  Englijbman,  excepting  that  he  wore  his  hair  in 
the  fafliion  of  hk  country  ; appeared  to  be  between  nine- 
teen and  twenty  years  of  age,  was  of  a middling  fta- 
ture,  and  had  a countenance  fo  ftrongly  marked  with 
fenfibility  and  good-humor,  that  it  inftantly  prejudiced 
every  one  in  his  favor  ; and  this  countenance  was  enliven- 
ed by  eyes  fo  quick  and  intelligent,  that  they  might 
really  be  faid  to  announce  his  droughts  and  conceptions 
without  the  aid  of  language. 

Though  the  accounts  I had  previouUy  received  of  this 
ncKv  man  (as  he  was.  called  at  Macoa)  had  gi'eatly  raifed 
my  expeftatioas,  yet  when  I had  been  a little  time  in 
his  company,  I was  perfeAly  aftonilhed  at  the  eafe  and 
gentlenefs  of  his  manners;  he  was  lively  and  pleafant, 
and  had  a polltenefs  without  form  or  reftraint,  which 
appeared  to  be  the  refult  of  natural  good-breeding. — 
As  I chanced  to  fit  near  him  at  table,  I paid  him  a 
great  deal  of  attention,  which  he  feemed  to  be  very 
fenhble  of. — Many  queftions  were  of  courfe  put  to  Cap- 
tain WUJ'jn  by  the  company,  concerning  this  perfonage, 
and  the  country  he  had  brought  him  from,  which  no 
European  had  ever  vifitcd  before;  he  obligingly  entered 
on  many  particular  circumilances  which  were  highly  in- 
terefting,  fpoke  of  the  battles  in  which  his  people  had 
afiifted  the  King  of  Pelew,  and  of  the  peculiar  manner 
the  natives  had  of  tying  up  their  hair  when  going  to 
war ; Lee  Boo,  who  fully  underllood  what  his  friend  was 
explaining,  very  obligingly,  and  unafleed,  untied  his  own, 
and  threw  it  into  tile  form  Captain  IVilfon  had  been  de- 
feribing. — T might  tire  the  reader  vvere  I to  enumerate 
the  trivial  occurrences  of  a few  hours,  rendered  only 
of  confequvnce  from  the  fingularity  of  this  young  man’s 
fixation  ; fuffice  it  to  fay,  there  was  in  all  his  deportment 
fuch  affability  and  propriety  of  behaviour,  that  when  he 
took  leave  of  the  company,  there  was  hardly  any  one 
U 2 prefent 


23+  ANACCOUNTOF 

prefent  who  did  not  feel  a fatisfaftion  in  having  had  an 
interview  with  him. 

I went  to  RotherhUhe,  a few  days  after,  to  fee  Captain 
WHfcn;  Lee  Boo  was  reading  at  a window,  he  recolledled 
me  inftantly,  and  flew  with  eageinefs  to  the  door  to 
meet  me,  looked  on  me  as  a friend,  and  ever  after  at- 
tached himfclf  to  me,  appearing  to  be  happy  whenever 
we  met  together, — In  this  vilit  I had  a good  deal  of 
converfation  with  him,  and  we  mutually  managed  to 
he  pretty  well  undei flood  by  each  other;  he  feemed  to 
be  pleafed  with  every  thing  about  him,  faid.  All  Jlne 
country,  Jlne  Jreet,  fine  coach,  and  hotife  upon  hnufe  up  to 
Jt:y,  putting  alternately  one  hand  above  another,  by  which 
I found  (their  own  habitations  being  all  on  the  ground) 
that  every  feparate  floiy  of  our  buildings  he  at  that 
time  confidered  as  a diflindb  houfe. 

He  was  intredueed  to  feveral  of  the  Direftors  of  the 
India  Company,  taken  to  vilit  many  of  the  Captain’s 
friends,  and  gradually  fliewn  mofl  of  the  public  build- 
ings in  the  different  quarters  of  the  town ; but.  his  pru- 
dent condutlor  had  the  caution  to  avoid  taking  him  to 
any  places  of  public  entertainment,  left  he  • might  ac- 
cidentally, in  thofe  heated  reforts,  catch  the  fmall-pox, 
,a  difeafe  which  he  purpofed  to  inoculate  the  young 
Prince  with,  as  foon  as  he  had  acquired  enough  of  our 
language  to  be  reaf  ned  into  the  neceflity  of  fubmitting 
to  the  operation;  judging,  and  furely  not  without  good 
reafon,  that  by  giving  him  fo  offenfive  and  troublefome 
a diflemper,  without  lirft  explaining  its  nature,  and  pre- 
paiing  his  mind  to  yield  to  it,  it  might  weaken  that 
unbounded  confidence  which  this  youth  placed  in  his 
adopted  father. 

After  he  had  been  a while  fettled,  and  a little  ha- 
bituated to  the  manners  of  this  country,  he  was  feat 
every  day  to  an  Academy  at  Rotherhithc,  to  be  inflrudled 
in  reading  and  writing,  which  he  was  himfelf  eager  to 
attain, and  mofl  afliduous  in  learning;  his  whole  deport- 
ment, whilft  tliere,  wus  fo  engaging,  that  it  not  only- 
gained  him  the'  cfleem  of  the  gentleman  under  whofc 
tuition  he  was  placed,  but  ^Ifo  the  affedion  of  his  young 

, CO  m- 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  2J5 

companions ; — in  the  hours  of  recefs,  when  he  returned 
to  the  Captain’s  houfe,  he  amufed  the  whole  family  by 
his  vivacity,  noticing  every  particularity  he  faw  in  any 
of  his  fchool-fellows,  with  great  good-humor  mimicing 
their  different  manners,  fomctimes  faying  he  would  have 
a fchool  of  his  own  when  he  returned  to  Pelc’W,  and 
fliould  be  thought  verj*  wile  when  he  taught  the  great 
people  their  letters. 

He  always  addreffed  Mr.  W'tJfon  by  the  appellation  of 
Captain;  but  never  would  call  Mrs.  JVilfon  (to  whom  be 
behaved  with  the  warmeft  affection)  by  any  other  name 
than  that  of  Mother,  looking  on  that  as  a mark  of  the 
greateft  refpedf. — Being  often  told  he  fliould  fay  Mit». 
iyUfon,  his  conftant  reply  was.  No,  no — Mother,  Mo- 
ther. 

Captain  Wilfon,  when  invited  to  dine  with  his  friends, 
was  generally  accompanied  by  Lee  Boo;  on  which  oc- 
cafions,  there  was  fo  much  eafe  and  politenefs  in  his  be- 
haviour, as  if  he  had  been  always  habituated  to  good 
company  ; he  adapted  himfelf  ver)"  readily  to  whatever 
he  faw  were  the  cuftoms  of  the  country,  and  fully  con- 
firmed me  in  an  opinion  which  I have  ever  entertained, 
that  natural  good  manners  is  tlie  natural  refult  of  natural 
good  fenfe. 

Wherever  this  young  man  went,  nothing  efcaped  his 
obfervation;  he  had  an  ardent  defire  of  information, 
and  thankfully  received  it,  always  exprefling  a wifli  to 
know  by  what  means  effefts  which  he  noticed,  were 
produced.  I was  one  day  in  compaaiy  with  him,  when 
a young  lady  fat  down  to  the  harpficord,  to  fee  how  he 
was  afl'efted  with  mufic  ; he  appeared  greatly  furprifed 
that  the  inllrument  could  throw  out  fo  much  found;  it 
was  opened,  to  let  him  fee  its  interior  conftrudlion,  he 
pored  over  it  with  great  attention,  watching  how  the 
jacks  were  moved,  and  feemed  far  mere  dlfpofed  to 
puzzle  out  the  means  which  produced  the  founds,  than 
to  attend  to  the  mufic  that  was  playing.  He  was  af- 
terwards requeffed  to  give  us  a Pehu  fong  ; he  did  not 
wait  for  thole  repeated  entreaties  v'hich  fingers  ufually 
require,  but  obligingly  began  one  as  foon  as  allied  ; tlie 

tones. 


2.36  AN  ACCOUNT  OF 

tones,  however,  were  fo  har/h  and  difcordant,  and  bis- 
bteaft  feemed  to  labor  with  fo  much  exertion,  that  his 
whole  countenance  was  changed  by  it,  and  every  one’s 
ears  ftunned  with  the  horrid  notes.  From  this  famplc 
of  Peleit)  finging,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered,  that  a chorus 
of  fuch  performers  had  the  effedf  (as  hath  been  related) 
of  making  our  countrymen  at  Oroolovg  fly  to  their  arms } 
— it  might,  in  truth,  have  alarmed  a whole  garrifon. — 
Though  when  he  had  been  fome  time  here,  he  readily 
caught  two  or  three  EngUJh  fongs,  in  which  his  voice 
appeared  by  no  means  inharmonious. 

Lee  Boo’s  temper  was  very  mild  and  compalfionate, 
difeovering,  in  various  inftances,  that  he  had  brought 
from  his  father’s  territories  that  fpirit  of  philanthropy, 
whieh  we  have  feen  reigned  there;  yet  he  at  all  times 
governed,  it  by  diferetion  and  judgment. — If  he  faw 
the  young  afl<ing  relief,  he  would  rebuke  them  with  what 
little  Engl'ijh  he  was  inafter  of,  telling  them,  it  was  a 
fliame  to  beg  when  they  were  able  to  work;  but  the 
entreaties  of  old  age  he  could  never  withftand,  faying, 
mt^  give  poor  old  man — old  man  not  able  to  'work. 

I am  perfe£Uy  convinced,  that  Captain  IVilfon,  from 
the  coniidence  which  the  King  had  repofed  in  him, 
would  have  held  himfelf  inviolably  bound  to  proteft  and 
ferve  this  young  creature  to  the  utmoft  extent  of  his 
abilities;  but,  independant  of  what  he  felt  was  due  to 
the  noble  charafter  of  ^hba  7hulle,  there  was  fo  much 
gentlenefs,  and  fo  much  gratitude  lodged  at  Lee  Boo’s 
heart,  that  not  only  the  Captain,  but  every  part  of  his 
family,  viewed  him  with  the  warmell  fentiments  of  dlf- 
intereiled  affection. — Mr.  H.  Wilfon,  the  Captain’s  fon, 
being  a y^outh  of  a very  amiable  charaftcr,  and  a few 
y'ears  younger  than  Lee  Boo,  they  had,  during  their 
voyage  to,  and  ftay  in  China,  become  mutually  attached 
to  each  other,  and  meeting  again  under  the  father’s  roof, 
their  friendfhip  was  flill  more  cemented;  the  young 
Prince  looked  on  him  as  a brother,  and,  in  his  leifure 
hours  from  the  Academy,  was  happy  to  find  in  him  a 
companion  to  converfe  with,  to  exercife  the  throrving  of 
the  fpear,  or  partake  in  any  innocent  recreation. 

Boyamy 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  237 

Boyam,  the  Malay,  wlioni  tlie  King  had  fent  to  at- 
tend on  his  fon,  proving  an  unprincipled,  difhoneft  fel- 
low, Lee  Boo  was  fo  difgufted  at  his  condudf,  that  he 
entreated  Captain  Wilfon  to  fend  him  back  to  Sumatra 
(which  he  had  learned  was  the  Malay’s  own  country;) 
and  Tom  Rofe  who  had  picked  up  a great  deal  of  the 
PeL  uo  language,  having  got  to  Englaiul,  he  was  engaged 
(from  his  tried  hdelity)  to  fupply  his  glace ; an  exchange 
which  gave  great  fatisfa<flion  to  all  parlies. 

Captain  IVilfon  being  now  and  then  incommoded  with 
fevere  head-achs,  which  were  fometimes  relieved  by  ly- 
ing down  on  the  bed;  on  thefe  occafions  the  feelings 
of  Lee  Boo  west  ever  alarmed.  He  appeared  always  un- 
happy, w'ould  creep  up  foftly  to  his  proteftor’s  cham- 
ber, and  fit  filent  by  his  bedfide  for  a long  time  toge- 
ther, without  moving,  peeping  gently  from  time  to 
time  between  the  curtains,  to  fee  if  he  llept,  or  lay 
cafy. 

As  the  anecdotes  of  this  fingular  youth  are  but  fcan- 
ty,  being  all  unfortunately  limited  to  a very  Ihort  peri- 
od, I would  unwillingly,  in  this  place,  w'ithhold  one, 
where  his  own  heart  deferibed  itfelf.  The  Captain  hav- 
ing been  all  the  morning  in  London,  after  dinner  afleed 
his  fon  if  he  had  been  at  fome  place,  he  had,  before  he 
went  to  town,  diredled  him  to  call  at,  with  a particular 
mefiage  ? The  faft  w^as,  the  two  young  friends  had  been 
amufing  tliemfelves  w'ith  throwing  the  fpear,  and  the 
bufinefs  had  been  totally  forgotten. — Captain  IVilfon 
was  hurt  at  the  negledt,  and  told  his  fon  it  was  very  idle 
and  carelefs ; this  being  fpoken  in  an  impatient  tone  of 
voice,  which  Lee  Boo  conceiving  was  a mark  of  anger 
in  the  father,  flipt  unobferved  out  of  the  parlor.  I'he 
matter  was  inftantly  forgotten,  and  fomething  ell’e  talked 
of,  when  Lee  Boo  being  miffed,  Harry  Wilfon  was  fent 
to  look  after  him,  w'ho  finding  him  in  a back  room 
quite  dejedled,  defired  him  to  return  to  the  family  ; I^ee 
Boo  took  his  young  friend  by  the  hand,  and  on  entering 
the  parlor  went  up  to  the  father,  and  laying  hold  of  his 
hand  joined  it  with  that  of  his  fon,  and  preffing  them 
together,  dropped  over  both,  thofe  tears  of  fenfibility, 

which 


23S  A N A C C O U InT  T O F 

which  his  afFeftionate  heart  could  not  on  the  occafioii 
fupprefs. 

Captain  IVilfon  and  the  young  Prince  dining  with  me 
early  after  his  arrival,  I was  afieing  how  he  was  affedled 
by  paintfog  ; on  mentioning  the  fubjeft,  Dr.  Carmichael 
Smyth,  whom  I liad  requefted  to  meet  this  ftranger,  wilh- 
cd  me  to  bring  a miniature  of  myfelf,  that  we  might 
all  thereby  obferve  if  it  llruck  him ; he  took  it  in  his 
hand,  and  inftantly  darting  his  eyes  toward  me,  called 
out,  Mi[f:r  Keate — very  nice,  very  good. — The  Captain 
then  afldng  him,  if  he  underftood  what  it  fignlfied  ? he 
replied,  Lee  Boo  underjiand  well — that  Miffer  Kecie  die — 
this  Mijfer  Keate  live. — A treatife  on  the  utility  and  in- 
tent of  portrait  painting  could  not  have  better  defined 
the  art  than  this  little  fentence. 

Mrs.  Wilfon  defiring  Lee  Boo,  who  was  on  the  oppo- 
fitc  fide  of  tlie  table,  to  fend  her  fome  cherries,  perceiv- 
ing diat  he  was  going  to  take  them  up  with  his  fingers, 
jocofely  noticed  it  to  him,  he  inftantly  reforted  to  a 
Ipoon  ; but,  fenfible  that  he  had  dilcovered  a little  un- 
pol.ienefs,  his  countenance  was  in  a moment  fufiTufed 
wit  1 a blufh,  that  vifibly  forced  itfelf  through  his  dark 
com.  'lesion. 

A ’ady,  who  was  of  the  party,  being  Incommoded  by 
the  vi,:l.  nt  heat  of  the  day,  was  nearly  fainting,  and 
obli  i J to  leave  the  room  ; this  amiable  youth  feemed 
m eh  hftrefTM  at  the  accident,  and  feeing  her  appear 
agai'i  'vhtn  we  were  fummoned  to  tea,  his  inquiries  and 
p;  vticuhr  attention  to  her,  as  ftrongly  ma  ked  his  ten- 
dernefs,  as  it  di  ’ his  good-breeding. 

He  W1S  fo.id  of  riding  in  a coach  beyond  any  other 
c"’  V ya..ce,  b.-cauf.,  he  fail,  people  could  be  carried 
V.  re  thev  wanted  to  go,  and  at  the  fame  time  fit  and 
c .n'.-;rfc  together.  He  feemed  particularly  plcafed  at 
gniv'g  to  cliurch,  and,  though  he  could  not  comprehend 
th  .*  fervice,  yet  he  perfecfly  underftood  the  Intent  of  it, 
and  alwavs  behaved  there  with  remarkable  propriety  and 
attention. 

Captain  WVJ'on  kept  liim  from  going  abroad,  except 
to  vifit  friends,  for  the  reafon  already  affigaed,  as  alio 

from 


THE  PELEW  ISLANDS.  239 

from  anotlier  prudential  confideration,  tliat  his  mind 
miglrt  be  tranquil,  nor  too  much  drawn  off  from  the 
great  objeft  in  view,  the  attaining  the  language,  which 
would  enable  him  to  comprehend  fully  every  purpofed 
information,  and  to  enjoy  better  whatever  he  fliould  then 
be  (liewn.  , he  river,  the  (hipping,  and  the  bridges 
he  was  forcibly  Itruck  with  ; and  he  was  feveral  times 
taken  to  fee  the  guards  exercifcd  and  march  in  St.  yames’s 
park,  a fight  which  gratified  him  much,  every  thing 
that  was  military  greatly  engaging  his  attention.  To 
a y'oung  creature,  fituated  as  he  was,  and  whofe  eye 
and  mind  were  ever  in  queft  of  information,  circum- 
ftances  perpetually  (jccurred,  that  at  the  time  interelled 
thofe  who  were  about  him,  but  which  at  prejet\t  would 
be  trefpaffing  too  much  on  the  reader  to  mention. 

I went  to  fee  him  the  morning  after  Lunardi's  firll 
afcent  in  the  balloon,  not  doubting  but  that  I (horrid 
have  found  him  to  the  greatelt  degree  aftoniflred  at  an 
exhibition  w’hich  had  excited  fo  much  curiofity  even 
amongft  ourfelves;  but  to  my  great  furprife,  it  did  not 
appear  to  have  engaged  him  in  the  Icaft.  He  faid,  he 
thought  it  a very  foolifb  thing  to  ride  in  the  air  like  a bird, 
when  a man  could  travel fo  much  more  pleafantly  on  horfehaci 
or  in  a coach.  — He  was  either  not  aware  of  the  difficulty 
or  hazard  of  the  enterprife,  or  it  is  not  improbable  that 
a man  flying  up  through  the  clouds  fufpended  at  a 
balloon,  might  have  been  ranked  by  him  as  a common 
occurrence,  in  a country  which  was  perpetually  fpread- 
ing  before  him  fo  many  objefts  of  furprife. 

Whenever  he  had  opportunities  of  feeing  gardens, 
he  was  an  attentive  obferver  of  the  plants  and  fruit-trees, 
would  afle  many  queftions  about  them,  and  fay,  when 
he  returned  home,  he  would  take  feeds  of  fuch  as  would 
live  and  flouriffi  in  Pelew ; talked  frequently  of  the 
things  he  fliould  then  perfuade  the  King  to  alter  or 
adopt  ; and  appeared  in  viewing  moll  objefts  to  con- 
fider  how  far  they  might  be  rendered  ufeful  to  his  own 
country.  , 

He  was  now  proceeding  with  hafty  ftrides  in  gaining 
the  Englifh  language,  and  advancing  fo  rapidly  with  his 

pen. 


240  A N A C C O U N T o F 

pen,  tliat  lie  would  probably  in  a rtiort  time  have  writ- 
ten a very  fine  hand,  when  he  was  overtaken  by  that 
veiy  difeafe,  which  with  fo  much  caution  had  been 
guarded  againft.  On  the  1 6th  of  December  he  felt  him- 
felf  much  indifpofed,  and  in  a day  or  two  after  an 
eruption  appeared  all  over  him. — Captain  IVilfon  called 
to  inform  me  of  his  iincafinefs,  and  was  then  going  to 
Dr.  Carmichael  Smylh,  to  requeft  he  would  fee  him,  ap- 
prehending that  it  miglit  be  the  fmall-pox. 

Dr.  Smylh,  with  whofe  profeffional  abilities  are  united 
every  accomplifliment  of  the  fcholar  and  the  gentleman, 
and  whofe  friendfiiip  I feel  a pride  in  acknowledging 
myfelf  long  poffeffed  of,  defined  me  to  go  with  him  to 
Rotherhithe,  When  he  defeended  from  Lee  Boo’s  cham- 
ber (where  he  rather  wilhed  me  not  to  go)  he  told  the 
family  that  there  was  not  a doubt  with  refpeft  to  the 
difeafe,  and  was  fony  to  add  (what  he  thought  it 
right  to  prepare  them  for)  that  the  appearances  were 
fuch  as  almoft  totally  precluded  the  hope  of  a favora- 
ble termination ; but  that  he  had  ordered  whatever  the 
prefent  moment  required.  Captain  IVilfon  earneftly  fo- 
llcited  the  continuance,  if  poflible,  of  his  vifits,  and 
was  alTured  that  how’ever  inconvenient  the  diftance,  he 
would  dally  attend  the  IfTue  of  the  diftemper. 

When  I went  the  fecond  day,  I found  Mr.  Sharp 
there,  a gentleman  fo  often  mentioned  in  the  foregoing 
narrative,  who,  hearing  of  his  young  friend’s  illnefs, 
had  come  to  affift  Captain  Wilfon,  nor  ever  ftirred  from 
the  houfe,  till  poor  Lee  Boo  had  yielded  to  his  fate. 

The  Captain  having  never  had  the  fmall-pox  himfelf, 
was  now  precluded  going  into  Lee  Boo’s  room,  who, 
informed  of  the  caufe,  acquiefeed  in  being  deprived 
of  feeing  him,  ftill  continuing  to  be  full  of  inquiries 
after  his  health,  fearing  he  might  catch  the  difeafe; 
but  though  Capiain  W'lljon  complied  with  the  rejjtiefl: 
of  his  family  in  not  going  into  the  chamber,  yet  he 
never  abfented  himfelf  from  the  houfe ; and  Mr.  Sharp 
conftantly  took  care  that  every  diredtion  was  duly  at- 
tended to,  and  from  him  I received  the  account  of  our 
unfortunate  young  ftranger  during  his  illnefs,  which  he 

bore 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  241 

Lore  with  great  firmnefs  of  mind,  never  refufing  to  take 
any  thing  that  was  ordered  for  him,  when  told  that 
Dr.  Smyth,  to  wliofe  opinion  he  paid  the  greateft  defer- 
ence, defired  it. — Mrs.  Wilfon  happening  to  have  fomc 
indifpoTition  at  this  time,  which  confined  her  to  her  bed, 
Lee  Boo,  on  hearing  of  it,  became  impatient,  faying, 
What,  'Mother  til!  Lee  Boo  get  up  to  fee  her  ; which  he 
did,  and  would  go  to  her  apartment,  to  be  fatisfied  hew 
fhe  really  was. 

On  the  Thurfday  before  his  death,  walking  acrofs  the 
room,  he  looked  at  himfelf  in  the  glafs  (his  face  being 
then  much  fwelled  and  disfigured;)  he  fhook  his  head, 
and  tnrnedaway,  as  if  difgufted  at  his  own  appearance,  and 
told  Mr.  Sharp*\\\dX  his  father  and  mother  mtuh  grieve,  for 
they  knew  he  was  very  fick  ; this  he  repeated  fevcral  times. 
— At  night,  growing  worfe,  he  appeared  to  think  him-- 
felf  in  danger;  he  took  Mr.  Sharp  by  tlie  hand,  and, 
fixing  his  eyes  ftedfellly  on  him,  with  carneftnefs  faid. 
Good  friend,  when  you  go  to  Pelew,  tell  Alha  Thulle  that 
Lee  Boo  take  much  drink  to  make  fmall-pox  go  away,  lut  he 
die; — that  the  Captain  and  Mother  (meaning  Miftrels 
Wilfon)  very  kind — all  Englilh  very  good  men; — was  much 
forty  he  could  not  fpeak  to  the  King  the  mimlcr  of  fine  things 
the  Englilh  had  got. — Then  he  reckoned  what  had  been 
given  him  as  prefents,  which  he  wifhed  Mr.  Sharp  would 
dillribute,  when  he  went  back,  among  the  Chiefs;  and 
requefted  that  vciy  particular  care  might  be  taken  of  the 
blue  glafs  barrels  on  peddlals,  which  he  directed  fiiould 
be  given  to  the  King. 

Poor  Tom  Rofe,  who  ftcod  at  the  foot  of  his  young 
mailer's  bed,  was  Iheddiug  tears  at  hearing  all  this,  which 
Lee  Boo  obferving,  rebuked  him  for  his  weaknefs,  alk- 
ing,  Why  f. 'Old d he  be  crying  ft  becavfe  Lee  Bco  die? 

Whatever  he  felt,  his  fpin’t  was  above  complaining ; 
and  Mrs.  Wilfcn's  chamber  being  adjoining  to  iiis  own, 
he  often  called  out  to  inquire  if  file  was  better,  always 
adding,  left  fiie  might  fufier  any  dilquietude  on  liis  ac- 
count, I -ee  Boo  do  well.  Mother.  The  fmall-pox,  whicli 
had  been  out  eight  or  nine*'  days,  not  rifing,  he  began 
to  feel  himfelf  fink,  and  told  Mr.  Sharp  he  was  going, ^ 
X away. 


242  ANACCOUNTOF 

acL'ny.  His  mind,  liowevrr,  remained  pcrfedUy  clear 
and  calm  to  the  laft,  though  what  he  fr.ffcrcd  in  the  lat- 
ter part  of  his  exiltcnce  was  fevere  indeed ; the  llrength 
of  his  conllitution  llriiggled  long  and  hard  Ergainlf  the 
venom  of  his  diftemper,  till  exhaulled  nature  yielded  in 
the  conteft. 

Dr.  Smyth  had  the  goodnefs,  every  day  on  his  return 
from  Roiherhiihe^  to  inform  me  of  the  ftate  of  his  pa- 
tient, but  never  gave  me  any  hope  of  his  recovery. 
Being  under  an  engagement,  with  my  family,  to  pafs  a 
week  at  the  houfe  of  my  friend,  Mr.  Brooke  Watfon,  at 
Sheen  (who  was  equally  anxious  and  alarmed  as  ourfelves 
•for  this  amiable  young  man)  I vequefted  the  Doftor 
would  have  the  goodnefs  to  continue  to  me  his  informa- 
tion.—The  fecond  day  after  I left  town,  I received  the 
intelligence  of  his  deatli,  which  deeply  affefted  us  all. — 
I cannot  give  an  account  of  this  melancholy  event  fo 
well  as  by  tranfcribing  Dr.  Smyth’s  letter,  by  which  it 
was  conveyed  to  me. 

Monday,  Dec,  27,  1784. 


My  Deer  Sir, 

It  is  an  uapleafdnt  tadt  for  me  to  be  the  herald  of 
bad  news,  yet,  according  to  my  promife,  I mull  in- 
form you  of  the  fate  of  poor  Lee  Boo,  who  died  this 
morning  without  a groan,  the  vigor  of  his  mind  and 
body  refilling  to  the  veiy  laft — Yefterday,  the  fecondary 
fever  coming  on,  he  was  feized  with  a flilverlng  lit, 
fucceeded  by  head-ach,  violent  palpitation  of  the  heart, 
anxiety,  and  difficult  breathing;  he  again  ufed  the  warm 
bath,  which,  as  formerly,  afforded  him  a temporary  relief) 
he  had  a bliller  put  on  his  back,  which  was  as  ineffeftual  a» 
thofe  applied  to  his  legs.  He  expreffed  all  his  feelings  to 
me,  in  the  moft  forcibleand  pathetic  manner,  put  my  hand 
upon  his  heart,  leant  his  head  on  my  ai-m,  and  explained 
his  uneafinefs  in  breathing;  but  when  I was  gone  he 
complained  no  more,  Ihewing  that  he  complained  with 
a view  to  be  relieved,  not  to  be  pitied.— In  Ihort,  living 

or 


THE  P E L E W ISLANDS.  243 
or  dying  he  has  given  me  a leffon  whjch_  I (hall  nevei* 
forget;  and  furelj,  for  patience  and  tortitude,  he  was 
an  example  worthy  the  imitation  of  a Stou.—l  did  not 
fee  Captain  IVilfon  when  I callecMhis  morning,  but  the 
maid-fervant  was  in  tears,  and  every  perfon  in  the  family 
woi-e  the  face  of  grief ; poor  Zee  alfeaionate  tem- 
per made  every  one  look  I'pon  him  as  a brother  01  a 
child. — Compliments  to  the  ladies,  and  to  Mr.  hatpi, 
who,  I make  no  doubt,  will  all  join  in  regretting  the 
untimely  end  of  our  poor  Prince. — Irom  you,  my  luen  , 
fomething  more  will  be  expccled ; and,  ^houg  i you  can 
not  bring  him  back  to 'life,  you  are  called  upon 
licularly  confidering  his  great  attachment  to  you;  no 
to  let  thememorv  of  fo  much  virtue  pafs^ away  unre- 
corded.—But  I am  interrupted  in  thefe  meiancholy  i?- 
fledlions.  and  have  only  time  to  affure  you  ot  (what 
will  never  pafs  away  but  with  myfclf)  the  lincere  fnend- 
ftiip  of  your  affectionate,  &c. 

JA*  CARMICHAEL  SMYTH. 


Captain  Wilfin  notified  to  the  India  Ploufe  the  unfor- 
tunate  death  of  this  young  man  ; and  received  orders  to 
condud  every  thing  with  proper  decency  remeaing  his 
funeral.  He  was  intened  in  Reiherouhe  chvncn-yuro, 
the  Captain  and  ills  brother  attending.  All  the  young 
people  of  t^c  Academy  joined  in  this  tedimeny  01  ic- 
gard;  and  the  concouife  of  people  at  the  church  wa.s 
fo  great,  that  it  appeared  as  ii  the  whole  parifli  had  a.- 
fembled  to  join  in  feeing  the  lad  ceremonies  paid  to  one 
who  was  fo  much  beloved  by  all  wlio  had  known  him 

in  it.  , , 

The  ItieJia  Company,  focn  after,  crdcred  a tom o to  oe 
ereCled  over  his  grave,  with  the  following  inlcnptiun, 
which  I have  traufciibcd  from  it:  * 


244 


AN  ACCOUNT  O F 


To  the  Memory 
of  Prince  Lee  Boo, 

A native  of  the  PELEw,or  Palos  Iflands; 
and  Son  to  Abba  Thulle,  Rupack  or  King, 
of  the  Ifland  Coorooraa-; 
who  departed  this  Life  on  the  2 7 th  of  December  1784* 
aged  20  Years; 

This  Stone  is  infcribed 

by  tlie  Honorable  United  East  India  Company, 
^s  a Teftimony  of  Efteern  for  the  humane  and  kind 
Treatment  afforded  by  his  Father  to  the 
Crew  of  their  Shio  the  Antelope, 

Captain  Wilson,  v’hich  was 
v'recked  off  that  Ifland  in 
the  Night  of  the  9th  of  Auguft  1783^ 

Stop,  Reader,  ftopf — let  Nature  claim  a Tear — 
A Prince  of  Miney  Lee  Boo,  lies  bury’d  here. 


Among  the  little  property  which  he  left  behind,  be- 
fide  what  he  had  particularly  requefted  Mr,  Sharp  to 
convey  to  his  father  and  fiiends,  there  were  found,  after 
his  death,  the  ftones  or  feeds  of  moft  of  the  fruits  he 
had  tailed  in  England,  carefully  and  fcparatcly  put  up. — 
And  when  one  conlidcrs  that  his  flay  with  us  was  but 
£vc  months  and  twelve  days,  we  find,  that  in  the  midll 
cf  the  wild  field  of  novelty  that  encompalTed  him,  he 
l ad  not  been  negleflful  of  that  which,  before  his  de- 
parture from  Pelcnv,  had  been  probably  pointed  out  to 
I im  as  a principal  matter  of  attention. 


From 


THE  P E L E ISLAND  S.  245: 


From  thefe  trifling  anecdotes  of  tliis  amiable  youth, 
cut  off  in  the  moment  that  his  character  began  to  blof- 
fom,  what  liopes  might  not  have  been  entertained  of 
the  future  fruit  fiicli  a plant  would  have  protUrced !-- • 
He  had  both  ardor  and  talents  for  improvement,  and 
every  gentle  quality  of  the  heart  to  make  him  beloved ; 
fo  that,  as  far  as  the  dim  fight  of  mortals  is  permitted 
to  penetrate,  he  might,  had  his  days  been  lengthened, 
have  carried  bad:  to  his  own  country — not  the  vices  of  a 
new  world — -but  thofe  folid  advantages  which  his  own' 
good  fenfe  would  have  fuggefted,  as  likely  to  become 
moll  ufeful  to  it. 

But — how  carry  Lack? — That  event  depended  not  on 
himfelf; — a naked,  corfiditi"  Rrangcr — he  tnilled  im- 
plicitly to  others,  and  Id't  the  protefting  arms  of  a fa- 
ther without  apprchenlion — without  llipulation. — The 
evening  before  the  Orodottg  failed,  tlie  King  allted  Cap- 
tain IVilfon,  how  long  it  might  be  before  his  return  to 
Pch’w?  and  being  told,  that  it  would  probably  be  about 
thiity  moons,  or  miglit  chance  to  extend  to  fix  moVe, 
Alba  Tbulle  drew  from  his  balke.t  a piece  of  Line,  and, 
after  making  thirty  knots  on  it,  a little  dillance  from 
each  other,  left  a long  fpace,  and  then  adding  fix  others, 
carefully  put  it  by. 

As  the  (low  but  fare  Heps  of  Time  have  been  moving 
onward,  the  Reader’s  imagination  will  figure  the  anxi- 
ous parent  reforling  to  this  cherifhed  remembrancer,  and 


with  joy  untying  the  earlier  records  of  eacli  elapfir.g 
period  ; — as  he  fees  him  advancing  on  his  Line,  he  will' 
conceive  that  joy  redoubled ; — and,  when  nearly  approacir- 
ing  to  the  thiriidh  knot,  almoil  accufing  the  planet  of  the 
night  for  pallrug  fo  tardily  away. 

When  verging  towards  the  termination  of  his  la'.c[l 
reckoning,  he  wall  then  picture  his  mind  glowing  witii 
paternal  affeftion,  cccafionally  alarmed  by  doubt- -■’’cL 
lull  buoyed  up  by  hope  ; — 'he  will  fancy  him  pacing 
iuquifitively  the  fca-fhote,  and  often  commanding  his 
people  to  afeend  every  rocky  Ireigbt,  and  gfar.ee  their 
eyes  along  the  level  line  of  the  horizon  which  bountls 
the  furrounding  ocean,  to  fee  if  haply  it  might  not  in. 


246  ■ ANACCOUNTOF 

fome  part  be  broken  by  the  diflant  appearance  of  a re- 
turning fail. 

Laftly,  he  will  view  the  good  Alha  Thulle,  wearied 
out  by  that  expeftation,  which  fo  many  returning  moons, 
fince  his  reckoning  ceafed,  have  by  this  time  taught  him 
he  had  nourifhed  in  vain. — But  the  Reader  will  bring 
him  back  to  his  remembrance,  as  armed  with  that  un- 
lliaken  fortitude  that  was  equal  to  the  trials  of  vaiy'ing 
life. — He  will  not  in  him,  as  in  lefs  manly  fpirits,  fee  the 
paflions  rufhing  into  oppofite  extremes — Hope  turned  to 
JDefpair — converted  to  Hatred.  — No — After  fome 
allowance  for  their  natural  fermentation,  he  will  fuppofc 
them  all  placidly  fubfiding  into  the  Calm  of  Refignation ! 

Should  this  not  be  abfolutely  the  cafe  of  our  friendly 
Ring — as  the  human  mind  is  far  more  pained  by  uncer- 
tainty than  a knowledge  of  the  woijl — every  reader  will 
lament,  he  (hould  to  this  moment  remain  ignorant,  that 
his  long-looked  for  Son  can  return  no  m.ore. 

At  Rome,  the  life  of  one  citizen  faved,  gave  a claim 
to  the  civic  wreath. — At  Pekvi,  fo  many  of  our  coun- 
trymen refcued  from  diilrefs,  and  by  Abba  Thulle's  pro- 
tetlion  and  benevolence,  not  only  faved  from  inevitable 
deftruftion,  but  enabled  to  return  in  fafety  to  their  fami- 
lies and  friends,  hath  fure  a ftronger  claim  to  a wreath, 
from  British  Craiitude! 


A VOCABU- 


A 

VOCABULARY 


OF  THE 


PEL 

E 

W 

L A N G U A 

PEL 

E W. 

E N G L I S I 

/Irracat 

• 

- 

A man. 

Avthell 

- 

- 

A woman. 

Nalakell 

. 

- 

A child. 

Rupack 

- 

- 

A Chief,  or  title  of  rank, 

Cattam 

. 

- 

A father. 

Cathdl 

. 

* 

A mother^ 

Alor'wakell 

_ 

A wife.  ' 

Talacoy 

- 

•- 

A male  infant. 

Sucal'ic 

- 

- 

'A  friend. 

T ackalby  ' 

- 

- 

A wwkman,  or  artificer. 

Bothelutb 

- 

The  head. 

Vngelell 

- 

. 

The  teeth. 

Kimath 

. 

_ 

The  arms. 

Kalahalath 

- 

- 

The  body. 

Arrajfack 

- 

Blood. 

Oroojbck 

- 

- 

Bones. 

'Root 

- 

A wonisa’s  bread. 

Ccltcti] 


248  A VOCABULARY  OF 
P E L E W.  ENGLISH. 


Cokeeth 

- 

The  thighs. 

Playe 

- 

A dwelling  houfe. 

Pye 

- 

A public  hall,  or  large  houfe. 

Morahalo'w 

- 

A town. 

Podemy 

- 

Home,  a man’s  dwelling. 

Trir 

- 

A fpoon. 

Oylcfs  . 

- 

A knife. 

Petutll 

- 

A Clip. 

^tall 

- 

A bafon. 

Tatur 

- 

Plates,  or  diflies. 

Koluck 

- 

Oil. 

ylleutfs 

- 

Cocoa-nuts. 

Cocow 

- 

Yams. 

Ccjfall 

- 

T urmeric. 

Pook 

- 

Beetle-nut. 

Ctirra  Curra 

- 

Lemon. 

Too 

- 

Plantains  or  bananas 

Caboo 

- 

Cabbage;  i.  e.  the  head  of  the  cab- 
bage-tree. 

Elouth 

- 

MolalTes. 

Outb 

A torch.* 

Kan 

Smoke. 

Karr 

Fire. 

Callow 

A cat. 

Pyaap 

A rat. 

Cokall 

An  ifland. 

Paaihe 

A rock. 

Colocol 

A fand,  or  fhoal,  in  the  fea. 

Cootoom 

* As  the  torches  at  Pelew  have  been  frequently  mentioned, 
ard  by  accidtnt  omitted  in  their  proper  place,  I mull  notice  them 
here  to  deferibe  them. — On  being  analyled,  they  appear  to  be  & 
KeCn  mixed  with  fmall  pieces  of  wood  — This  Refin  is  probably 
tire  exudation  of  feme  tree ; bpt  it  is  uncertain,  whether  the  wood-, 
is  fmall  bits  of  bark,  which  inevitably,  in  feraping  it  off,  mix  with 
the  Refin,  or  whether  they  are  purpofely  joined  witli  it  to  fupply 
the  place  of  a wick,  and  render  it  lefs  liable  to  run  and  diffolve 
haftily  like  a flick  of  wax.  They  have  long  leaves  twined  and, 
tied  round  them,  to  prevent  their  flicking  to  the  hand. — \Vlu;c» 
lighted,  they  afford  an  agreeable  fmelL 


THE  PELEW  LANGUAGE.  249 
P E L E W.  ENGLISH. 


Cootoom  - ^ 

Arral 

Garagar 

Athagell 

Mevrooke 

nils 

AMI 

Mallatye 

Coybattle 

Tarfe 

Peeforfe 

Difoma 

Beefakell 

Gill 

Cray 

Ouguth 

Poop 

Thoup  m 

Neekell 

Cumathuck  Neeksll 
Arool 
Cojfacurra 
Kerthough 

Kim 

Kiffitruck 

Aaiuell 

Craalrutell 

Cochivoou 

Cyep 

Mclh 

DoothucP 

Oleek 

Niefe 

Bujhook 

Siulebuc 

■Mungeegy 


Earth  or  land  fit  for  cultivation, 
Frelh  water. 

Wood  ; i.  f.  trees. 

Bamboo. 

Rattans. 

Spears  or  darts. 

A leaf  of  a tree,  bulb,  or  plant. 

A canoe,  or  boat. 

A mart. 

A fail. 

A paddle,  or  oar. 

The  bottom  piece  of  the  outrigger. 
The  (hell  ornaments  of  the  canoes. 
A rope. 

Small  line,  or  cord. 

A fi(hing-net. 

Fifiiing-pots,  or  balkets,  made  of 
fplit  bamboo. 

The  fea. 

Filh. 

Fifii-fcales. 

Skaite,  or  large  flat-fifh. 

The  common  cockle. 

Ditto  ; the  flutings  of  this  cocklc- 
(hell  are  circular,  not  radiated. 
Kima-cockle. 

The  mother  of  pearl  (hell. 

T urtle. 

Cray-fi(h,  or  lobfter. 

Birds. 


Pigeons. 

A fowl. 

The  tropic-bird. 

Large  bat,  or  fiying-fox. 
Eggs. 


Feathers,  or  quills. 
To  fly. 

To  fwim. 


Coyofs  ' 


2J0  A VOCABULARY  OF 
PELEW.  ENGLISH. 


Coyofs 

- 

The  fun. 

dlls 

. 

To  be  fun-burnt,  or  bliftered. 

Pooyer 

. 

The  moon. 

ylhhthduk 

. 

Stars. 

Mecftxs 

. 

Seven  ftars,  or  Pleiades. 

Tangle 

- 

Sky. 

Tabbath 

- 

Clouds. 

Koyyoou 

- 

Wind. 

Katt  akatt 

- 

Fog,  hazy  or  thick  weather  : 
literally  fmoky. 

Kull 

- 

Rain. 

Kull  akoyyoou  - 

- 

Wind  and  rain,  a fquall. 

Myoojcok 

- 

Little  wind,  or  a calm. 

Coreo-we 

- 

Lightning. 

7 h drum 

- 

Thunder. 

PaJfapijJfoo 

- 

Repeated  claps  of  thunder. 

Efano 

- 

Rainbow. 

Cocook 

- 

Day. 

OJfmethcllaa 

- 

Mid-day,  or  noon. 

Cotharaa  trioook 

- 

Afternoon,  or  evening. 

Cappafay 

- 

Night. 

Olongkalla  allakath 
3Ietgull 

- 

Day-light,  or  dawn. 

. 

Darknefs. 

Pe^ielurattle  - 

- 

Morning,  or  fun-rife. 

Cdeookell  acoyofs 

- 

Sun-fet. 

Coltho  coyofs 

- 

Yefterday. 

Mogali 

- 

Burning  hot. 

3dai  rajfem 

- 

Cold. 

Mathrabith 

- 

Hunger. 

Munga 

- 

To  eat. 

3Ielnn 

. 

To  drink. 

Meethingglfs  - 

. 

To  be  fatisfied  with  eating. 

Phomor  acocook 

- 

Breakfaft. 

Weetacallell  acoyofs 

Dinner. 

Comofoy 

- 

Slipper. 

Mffeeowe 

- 

To  cook,  to  drefs  victuals. 

31or'wgough 

- 

To  broil  viiftuals. 

THE  PE  LEW  LANGUAGE.  251 
P E L E W.  ENGLISH. 


Mceahe 

- 

A fweetmeat  made  of  almonds  and 
molafles. 

Sopojfup 

- 

A fweetmeat  made  of  a fmall  root 
like  a turnip. 

Kalpatt 

A fweet  pudding  made  of  boiled 
yams  and  molafles. 

Woolcll  - 

- 

A fweetmeat  made  of  fcraped  co- 
coa-nuts and  molafles. 

Mtubtngaa 

- 

Mouldy. 

Mokoot 

- 

Rotten. 

R'tamoll 

The  wild  bread-fruit. 

Kuthull 

- 

The  Jamboo  apple. 

Othough 

. 

Beads. 

Clootie 

- 

To  cough. 

Ognofs 

- 

To  fneeze. 

Suam  pepah 

- 

To  be  pleafed,  or  glad. 

Gurragur 

- 

To  laugh. 

Maim 

- 

To  play,  to  toy. 

Puckajoogel 

■ 

To  deceive,  to  fpeak  or  aft  in  joke, 
or  doubtfully. 

Cooihung 

• 

Wife,  or  oinning — as  Coothung  ar- 
racat,  a wife  man. 

Thtngarmger 

- 

Foolilh,  or  a fool — as  Thingarln- 
ger  art  bed,  a foolilh  woman. 

Motur 

- 

To  be  angry. 

Merengell 

- 

To  be  in  pain. 

EUmangle 

- 

To  cry. 

Adapat 

■ 

To  lay  down  to  fleep,  e.  to  go 
to  reft. 

Parr 

- 

A mat  to  fleep  on. 

Moopat 

- 

To  fleep.  * 

Peekeeifs 

- 

To  awake  from  fleep. 

Moratle 

. 

To  walk. 

Arranworoot  - 

- 

To  run,  or  make  hafte. 

Mooboo 

> 

To  fall  down. 

Cockanu'o 

- 

To  take  care,  i.  e.  not  to  flip  or 
fall  in  walking. 

BorrUhocar  - 

- 

To  arife  from  where  you  are  fitting, 

to  move  out  of  that  place. 

Amum 


252  A VOCABULARY  OF 
PELEW.  ENGLISH. 


Amuno 

Come  in,  i.  e.  come  into  a houfe 
(an  invitation  or  requeft.) 

Bomgeeaye 

- 

Sit  down. 

Porvonve 

- 

To  {loop  down. 

Koomacarr 

' 

To  exchange,  to  barter,  to  give 
one  thing  for  another. 

Lelocoy 

- 

To  talk. 

Moraamaiu  - 

- 

To  cheer,  to  huzza. 

Arrah 

- 

To  call  to  a perfon  at  a diftancc, 
as  halloo! 

Mora  mey 

- 

Come  to  me. 

Mathach 

. 

Don’t  be  afraid. 

Ongeelairecoy 

- 

Means  that  a thing  or  bufinefs  is 
well  done. 

Mungou 

- 

To  fetch,  to  bring  fomething  want- 
ed. 

Kiboteleck 

- 

The  right  fide. 

Kibotehm 

- 

The  left  fide. 

Annabcokecth 

- 

To  give  any  thing,  to  make  a pre- 
fent. 

Aclmethack 

- 

Thank  you. 

Atalell 

- 

What  is  the  name? 

Aygaa 

- 

This  thing,  or  that  thing. 

Kitra 

- 

What  is  it  called  ? 

S’wallo'w 

- 

A matbalket. 

Galas 

- 

A fmall  ditto. 

Kiffeem 

- 

An  adze  or  hatchet,  made  of  fliell. 

Sous  * 4 

- 

Signifies  a file  made  of  fifh-lkin. 

Carute 

- 

The  drefs  worn  by  the  women. 

Mulaloiu 

- 

To  wadi  any  thing,  or  themfelves. 

MaJapall 

- 

To  wafh  or  wipe  the  hand  after  eat- 
ing. 

MooreoUow  - 

- 

To  clean,  to  fweep  a room. 

Mootteetur 

- 

To  work,  or  labor. 

Meekemoth  • 

- 

To  throw  water  out  of  a boat  or 
veffcl. 

Morojoock 

- 

To  beat,  as  with  a hammer,  or  to 

as  in  a mortar. 


Majahth 


THE  PELEW  LANGUAGE.  253 
P E L E W.  ENGLISH. 


Mafahclh 

Matheethy 

Marafam 

Bomgeetee 

Meeleekotuch 

Jiclaloo 

Mokamat 

Cocuath 

Umkarr 

Umkarra  lills 

Mathee 

Maathey 

Mora'ick 

Thoo 

Moringell 

Macekathe 

Melgoth 

Prothoihuch. 

Clowe 

Owmuckell 

Kickaray 

Koomangle 

Cathep 

Merow 

Croyee'.b' 
Icmathe 
Peepack 
Sola,  Sola 


Moofefs 

Moofefs  akoyyou 

Aaa 

Deak 

Naak 

Kow  • - 


To  reduce,  to  make  lefs. 

To  enlarge,  to  make  bigger. 

To  repair,  to  mend  any  thing. 

To  throw  any  thing  away. 

To  ftrike,  to  give  a blow. 

To  pilfer,  to  take  any  thinj  flily. 
War,  to  fight. 

Fighting  as  children. 

Wounded. 

A wound  made  by  a fpear. 

Killed. 

Dead. 

Sick. 

A bile  or  blotch. 

To  be  in  pain  from  a bile  or  blotch. 
To  itch. 

To  tattoo  or  mark  the  body  and 
limbs. 

Their  wooden  fword. 

Large. 

A thing  of  a middling  fize. 

Small. 

Long. 

Short. 

A rneafure,  anfwering  to  our  fa- 
thom. 

A great  diftance. 

A Ihovt  diftance. 

A great  many,  abundance. 
Enough,  plenty,  generally  fpoke 
twice ; as.  Sola,  Sola,  enough, 
enough. 

Too  much  of  any  thing. 

Too  high  a wind. 

Yes.  ' 

No. 

Me,  myfelf. 

You. 

Y 


Arrabceta 


2_J4  a vocabulary  of 

p E L E W.  ENGLISH. 


jirrcbeela 
Oleeakech 
Okeakem  - 
Mungeet 
IVeel 

IVeel  alrecoy 

Mogull 

Omacareiu 

'Joomgthcotooath 

Joomgib 

Dehiifs 

Moraheth 

Maouth 

J}go  mey 


Vealai'ich 


Cngeel 
Oul  mey 

Dcegaa 

Morakattoio  - 

Mey 

Pomray 

Calakaa 

Mayfackarangath 
Ley  mey 
Meimathtjfa 

M'lffak 

Mereaerick 

Myyufi 


The  other  fide  of  any  thing.  1 

High,  or  above. 

Low,  or  downwards.  j 

Not  good. 

Good. 

Very  good. 

Bad,  or  difpleafing. 

To  turn  or  tack,  as  a (hip  or  boat. 
To  caulk,  or  flop  a leak. 

Their  oakum,  made  of  cocoa-nut 
huflcs. 

To  defert  orforfake  a place  or  per- 
fon. 

Means  for  a perfon  to  go  before  to 
fome  place. 

Means  that  you  will  follow  and 
join  them. 

I^Icans  go  away,  or  out  of  my  fight,.  \ 
, being  difpleafed  wfth  the  perfon 
to  whom  it  is  fpoke. 

A diflike  of  what  is  offered  you,  or 
declaration  that  you  will  not  ac- 
cept it. 

It  will  do,  it  is  very  well. 

Give  me  that  thing  near  you,  or  in 
your  hand. 

I have  not  what  is  afleed  for. 

Go  away.  Hand  afide,  keep  at  a, 
diftance. 

Con^ 

To  aWTiy. 

Prefently. 

Give  me  that. 

Bring  me  that.  " 1 

Let  me  look  at  it.  jt 

To  look  out,  to  efpy.  T 

To  fearcb,  to  look  for  a thing  loft.  I 
To  paddle  a canoe.  I 

Lngoorutb  ■ 


THE  PELEW  LANGUAGE.  7SS 
PEL’EW.  ENGLISH. 


Lagooruth 

- 

To  paddle  faft. 

ArreCy  Arret  - 

'■ 

Signifies  to  the  men  In  the  canoe» 
to  exert  themfelves. 

Morru 

- 

To  hinder  work^  to  impede  It. 

Calcm 

- 

To  give  a portion  of  provifion  to 
each  Chief  or  family  at  a feaft. 

Arrack 

. 

To  flop. 

Meefoos 

- 

To  make  obeifance,  to  Hoop  to  a 
Chief. 

ZIeelhip 

- 

Broke  like  a flick  or  piece  of  wood> 
purpofely. 

Moorookem 

Broke  like  a piece  of  pottery  or 
fhell,  falling  to  the  ground,  ac- 
cidentally. 

Melocketh 

- 

Broke  like  a rope  by  teniion. 

Arrafook 

- 

A white  ftone. 

Coreick 

• 

Red. 

Koivfe 

- 

White. 

Ka/s 

- 

Black. 

Coteetoiu 

. 

Blue. 

Meelemo'w 

. 

Green. 

Koothoo 

. 

Yellow. 

Carcereeack 

. 

Brown. 

Thelhrmck 

. 

Peace.  I 

Tong 

- 

One.  > 

Oroo 

Two. 

Othey 

- 

Three. 

Gang 

- 

Four. 

Aeem 

- 

Five. 

Malong 

. 

Six. 

O'weth 

- 

S^ven. 

Tei 

• 

Eight. 

JEtfpu 

- 

Nine. 

Makolh 

Ton. 

Oloyuck  * 

- 

T wenty 

Ockathey 

- 

Thirty. 

Ockaiuaugh 

- 

Forty. 

Oclcem 


256  A V 0 C A B U L A R Y,  es-f. 
PE  LEW.  ENGLISH. 


Ockeem 

Ockgollom  - - 

Ockg>weeth 
Ockeye  . , 

Gckatuew 

Mackoth  adart  • 

Fifty, 

Sixty. 

Seventy. 

Eighty. 

Ninety. 

A hundred. 

^1 


